Context:

• Indian companies can now participate in construction and installation works in the “non-critical” category for the Rooppur nuclear power plant in Bangladesh.

The Rooppur project:

• The Rooppur project is the first initiative under an Indo-Russian deal to undertake atomic energy projects in third countries.
• This will also be the first time Indian companies will be able to participate in a nuclear power project abroad. India is not a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and hence cannot participate directly in construction of atomic power reactors.

About the Agreement:

• India, Bangladesh and Russia on Thursday signed an agreement to allow Indian firms in construction and installation works in the “non-critical” category for the Rooppur nuclear power plant project in northwest Bangladesh.
• The Memorandum of Understanding, signed in Moscow, sets a framework for interaction of Russian contractor, and Indian and Bangladeshi experts in the implementation of works related to the project.
• The parties, in particular, will cooperate in personnel training, exchange of experience and consulting support. Russia is constructing two nuclear reactors with a capacity of 1,200 MW each in Rooppur, which will be Bangaladesh’s first nuclear power project.
• Indian companies can be involved in construction and installation works, the supply of materials and equipment of non-critical category in the interest of the project.

Background:

• India has a nuclear cooperation agreement with Russia and Bangladesh.
• The Russian side is building a nuclear power plant in Bangladesh on a “turnkey” basis, which means the contractor will complete the whole project and they will be liable for any problems that arise in the plant.
• The scope of work includes design, production and supply of equipment, construction, installation, start-up and commissioning.

Source:Livemint