India, June 8 -- A small nuclear reactor developed by a private US company has achieved first criticality, a stepping stone in the development of small modular reactors, which Washington plans to sell to countries including India.

The Mark-0 demonstration reactor, built by Antares Nuclear, achieved first criticality - the start of a self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction - on June 4, a month ahead of schedule, as US President Donald Trump encouraged the private sector to develop newer nuclear reactors.

Experts describe the crucial milestone as the heralding of a second nuclear renaissance in the country that had not tested new technologies in the sector for over four decades.

Maria Korsnick, the President and CEO of the Nuclear Energy ...