Bangladesh seeks Russia's help for nuke power plant

Bangladesh has sought Russia's help to set up a nuclear power plant in the country, according to Foreign Affairs Adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury.

"I have had detailed discussions with Russian Deputy Minister for Energy and Industry Ivan Materver on possible Russian co-operation in the production of nuclear energy. Russia has responded positively and it can be an important partner in setting up a nuclear power plant," the New Age quoted Chowdhury as saying.

He said the country would not utilise the plant to manufacture nuclear weapons but to produce electricity for meeting the ever-increasing demand for power.

"Since Bangladesh is a signatory to the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty and National Proficiency Tests Council, we are committed to the peaceful use of nuclear energy. We will not go for nuclear weapons," Chowdhury said.

When asked why the government is attaching such importance to Russian co-operation in setting up the nuclear power plant, he replied: "All the countries do not like to extend nuclear cooperation. Russia has the appropriate technology for it."

He also said Bangladesh had already contacted Russia at the technical level for setting up the proposed nuclear power plant, but he was the first one to contact Russia "at the political level".