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OPINION MARCH 28, 2025 | The Indian Eye 10

RUSSIA’S UNCLEAR

NUCLEAR SOUTHWARD

ENGAGEMENT

In the 2023 released ‘Concept of the Foreign Policy of the Russian Federation’ by the Kremlin, Moscow has

envisaged a zone of ‘Greater Eurasian Partnership’, which also includes the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations (ASEAN) as a regional organisation that must be associated with its objectives

DR. SRIPATHI NARAYANAN

he interesting facet of the joint
communiqué released after the
Ttwo-day visit of Russian Prime
Minister Mikhail Vladimirovich Mi-
shustin at the invitation of Vietnam’s
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh
between 14 and 15 January 2025 to
mark 75 years of diplomatic relations
was that the two sides are on the road
to enhancing their Comprehensive
Strategic Partnership (CSP) that was
signed in 2012. As part of this, the two
sides have agreed to cooperate in a
number of sectors, including reviving
their cooperation in the nuclear ener-
gy and nuclear science sectors.
Resultantly, a memorandum of
understanding between Rosatom
and Electricity of Vietnam (EVN)
has been inked, with the intent of set-
ting up a nuclear power station in the Although the Ninh Thuan proposal was first mooted in 2009 to feature VVER-1200 reactors of Russia, it was rejected by the National Assembly
central Ninh Thuan region of Viet- of Vietnam in 2016, even before construction could begin, due to cost considerations (File photo)
nam. It has been proposed that the
combined capacity of the two power
plants would be 4,000 MW. is not only in line with the 2025–30 in the southern Dong Nai province the end of the Vietnam War. In 1984,
Although the Ninh Thuan pro- timeframe of cooperation between of Vietnam. This nuclear research this facility was again made opera-
posal was first mooted in 2009 to Hanoi and Moscow but also address- center will produce radioisotopes for tional, and its capacity was doubled
feature VVER-1200 reactors of Rus- ing Vietnam’s long-term energy se- medical and industrial purposes, con- to 500 kWt.
sia, it was rejected by the National curity and net zero commitments by duct silicon irradiation with neutrons The Russian Roulette
Assembly of Vietnam in 2016, even 2050. It is also worth noting that 2030 to produce semiconductor materials,
before construction could begin, due will also mark the Centenary Year of train the workforce for the nuclear hile at the outset, this lev-
to cost considerations. At that time, the founding of the Communist Party energy sector, and conduct research el of cooperation between
the Southeast Asian country’s nu- of Vietnam. in material and physics science. WHanoi and Moscow could
clear power plant was to have been However, it should be noted that It is worth noting that this is not be seen as deepening bilateral ties,
constructed in collaboration with the revival of the Ninh Thuan propos- the first time Vietnam has engaged the nature of Russian engagement
Rosatom and Japan Atomic Power al aligns with the commitment made with its partners in the field of nucle- with Vietnam is to be seen in a larger
Company on a US $8 billion loan. by the two countries during the visit ar sciences. The first nuclear reactor context. The newfound enthusiasm
The current revival of nuclear of Russian President Vladimir Pu- in the country, the Dalat Nuclear Re- and energy in the field of nuclear
power in the Communist country, tin to Vietnam in June 2024. During actor, was constructed in 1963 with cooperation with Vietnam seem to
with about 400 trained professionals this visit, it was agreed to establish assistance from the United States fit with a larger Russian foreign pol-
in the nuclear energy sector, aims a Nuclear Science and Technology with a TRIGA Mark-2 Nuclear Re- icy framework. In the 2023 released
to complete the construction of the Research Centre project and to con- actor. This was a 250 kWt, whose op- ‘Concept of the Foreign Policy of the
Ninh Thuan plant by 2030. This effort struct a 10-megawatt microreactor eration was suspended in 1975 after Continued on next page... >>

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