India is collaborating with Russia to build the Roppur nuclear power plant in Bangladesh, the first initiative under a Indo-Russia deal to undertake atomic energy projects in third countries. This will also be India’s first atomic energy venture abroad.
According to the December 2014 ‘Strategic Vision for Strengthening Cooperation in Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy’ between India and Russia, the two sides will explore opportunities for sourcing materials, equipment and services from Indian industry for the construction of the Russian designed nuclear power plants in third countries.
India signed a civil nuclear cooperation deal, along with two more agreements, with Bangladesh in April under which the two sides can supply and manufacture equipment, material for the atomic power plant. The Roppur project, which is being built by the Russians near Dhaka, will be Bangladesh’s first atomic energy project.
After commissioning of two units, each with a capacity of 1200 MWs, Bangladesh will be the third South Asian country after India and Pakistan to harness energy from atomic fission.