The India-Russia cooperation on Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant Project opens the door for Indian companies to work in the nuclear energy space in other countries. India cannot participate directly in constructing atomic power reactors as it is not a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group.

After months of deliberations, the European Union is finally moving towards labelling nuclear as sustainable, green energy. The decision could not have come sooner. As more and more nuclear-skeptics are turning towards nuclear as a viable replacement to the dominance of fossil fuels in the global energy mix to meet the emission cuts pledged in Glasgow, EU’s decision will prove to be a push in the right direction for nuclear. The move will not only provide impetus to growth of nuclear energy in Global North but also would be beneficial to encourage adoption of nuclear energy in developing countries. 

Most of the developing countries in the world are witnessing a huge increase in energy demand owing to modernization and rapid industrialization. In the absence of a viable alternative, this energy demand is likely to be supplied through traditional, fossil fuel-based energy sources undercutting the global effort to reduce carbon emissions. For developing countries, while the cost of building a nuclear plant figure in their calculations, the prevalent nuclear taboo due to various myths and misinformation has also significantly contributed to them shying away from wider adaption of nuclear energy. 

However, as the winds of change are now blowing in nuclear’s favour, more and more developing countries are likely to look towards nuclear to fulfil their rising energy demand. As the demand for nuclear energy grows, there is a huge market waiting to open up, particularly in developing countries. As such, there is an opportunity for Russia and India to collaborate in terms of exploring opportunities in nuclear energy in these emerging markets. 

During the annual Russia-India Summit in December 2021, the two sides highlighted the achievements of Indian and Russian collaboration in the field of nuclear energy, laying down the roadmap for further cooperation to launch the serial construction of the state-of-the-art Generation III+ Russian-designed nuclear power units at a new site in India using Rosatom’s advanced nuclear power technologies. During the Summit, India and Russia also agreed to form a third country partnership based on the success of their participation in Bangladesh's first nuclear power plant at Rooppur.

For India and Russia, Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNNP) can become a template for cooperation in development of nuclear energy in third countries. The project not only highlights the scope of cooperation but also shows how nuclear power is beneficial for emerging economies where energy demand is increasing. Bangladesh's ambition to increase per capita income to $12,500 by 2041 is primarily dependent on the scale and speed with which the economy gets industrialised. Despite the fact that industrialisation is one of the key pillars of a developed economy, the country suffers from a significant lack of electricity to power the looms and levers. Bangladesh's current energy generation capacity is insufficient to support this large-scale industrialization. 

Once fully operational in 2024, the two RNPP units will add 2400 MW to the country's energy supply. This is especially important for maintaining and increasing the industrial base in and around Pabna, which has over 170 heavy, medium, and light enterprises, making it one of Bangladesh's most industrialised cities. The project's long-term economic advantages for Bangladesh are difficult to determine at the national level. According to one analysis, the change in GDP attributable to power output at the Rooppur Power Plant is expected to be $1.4 billion per year due to the multiplier effect in consumption, investment, and government expenditure.

In 2018, India, Bangladesh and Russia signed an agreement to allow Indian firms in construction and installation works in the “non-critical" category for the RNNP Project. While Russia is working towards construction of RNPP and supply of equipment, Indian companies are developing critical grid infrastructure for the project. During PM Modi’s visit to Bangladesh last year, India extended $1 Billion Line of Credit to develop the RNNP's transmission lines with the participation of Indian companies. 

The India-Russia cooperation on RNPP demonstrates the capabilities of such collaboration and opens up new opportunities for both the countries, particularly in the developing countries. This cooperation opens door for Indian companies to work in the nuclear energy space in other countries since India cannot participate directly in constructing atomic power reactors because it is not a member of Nuclear Suppliers Group. 

Furthering nuclear cooperation between the two countries to meet the global demand will not only bolster India’s capabilities but also strengthen the relationship between the two countries which has endured and thrived for decades.