Link to article: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/6/bangladesh-gets-first-uranium-shipment-from-russia-for-nuclear-power-plant
Bangladesh is currently building their first nuclear power plant at Rooppur of Ishwardi upazila in Pabna District. It was delayed due to Covid-19 and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Russia has a major impact on the development of the nuclear power plant because they supplied Bangladesh with over $11 billion dollars in loans to help build it. Additionally, Russia shipped them supplies such as, uranium, which is used to create energy in the form of heat and radiation at the power plant. The uranium arrived in Bangladesh on October 6th, 2023. Soon after, the Prime minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, and the Russian President, Vladimir Putin attended the “nuclear fuel delivery ceremony”. Putin was forced to attend online because he could potentially get arrested if he leaves his home country due to an ICC arrest warrant. The power plant is planned to open in 2024 and have a lifespan of 60-80 years. There will be 1,500-2,000 employees which will all be trained by Russia.
In 2013, Bangladesh had an electricity crisis due to erratic weather, weakened national currency, and declining foreign trade reserves. Today, the Electricity generation in Bangladesh is highly dependent on imported gas which has increased in price drastically due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Russia saw Bangladesh struggling with energy and took this as a chance to get more control. In Bangladesh’s eyes Russia is helping their country by giving them money and resources. But, Russia will have full control of “Bangladesh’s” nuclear power plant by making sure all the employees are theirs and knowing if Bangladesh doesn’t pay them back within the 28 years and 10 year grace period they could possibly gain something great from this.
Currently, Russia has positive relations with Bangladesh. They are currently working together to build up each other’s economy. Due to Russia’s possible gain and the unlikely chance of issues it would cause between countries, it is in Russia’s national interest to support the power plant. The national interest is whether the country is interested in something or not. Russia’s national interest in this is seemingly high with the great amounts of money they are giving them. It is also in Bangladesh’s national interest to have this power plant funded by Russia because without them, they will have a much harder time generating electricity and growing their economy.