Page 12 - The Indian EYE 032825

OPINION MARCH 28, 2025 | The Indian Eye 12

Russian Federation’ by the Krem-
lin, Moscow has envisaged a zone
of ‘Greater Eurasian Partnership’,
which also includes the Association
of Southeast Asian Nations (ASE-
AN) as a regional organisation that
must be associated with its objectives.
It is in this context that the Russian
nuclear energy-related engagement
in the Southeast Asian region should
be seen.
For one, the nature of engage-
ment in the nuclear energy domain is
a clear testament to the nature of ties
that Russia shares with its partners
in the domain of atomic sciences.
This also indicates that the partner-
ing countries are willing to hoodwink
the sanctions regime imposed by the
West on Russia and Russian entities,
including Rosatom.
Secondly, the West has some
reservations with respect to nuclear
energy and science, especially after
the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi incident
in Japan. Consequently, Russia has
been quite proactive in partnering
with select countries in this domain,
not only bilaterally but also under
a multilateral arrangement. For in- Russia has been quite proactive in partnering with select countries in this domain, not only bilaterally but also under
stance, in the case of Bangladesh’s a multilateral arrangement (File photo)
Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, Ro-
satom has partnered with India for sides would cooperate in joint oil and
the construction of the same. Some gas projects on the continental shelf
analysts are indicating signs of re- of Vietnam and in Russian territory.
naissances in the civilian nuclear en- The joint communiqué also men-
ergy sector. If that is indeed the case, tioned that cooperation in energy
Russia is likely to benefit from its exploration and exploitation would
leading expertise in partnering with be “in accordance with the laws of
countries of the Global South in this the two countries and international
field especially research in medicine law, including the 1982 United Na-
and agriculture. tions Convention on the Law of the
In February 2023, a nuclear
technology information center was Sea”. The reference to UNCLOS is
important, as Russia is expressing its
inaugurated in Yangon, Myanmar, position on the ongoing South China
by Rosatom. This center is expected Sea dispute as distinct from that of its
to explore the ‘peaceful use of atom- “limitless” friend China which is the
ic energy’ in Myanmar and even- aggressive party in the dispute.
tually set up Small Nuclear Power Given this backdrop, the Ninh
Plants. Additionally, Russia is also Thuan nuclear project addresses
reportedly working towards export- Vietnam’s energy and environmen-
ing its floating nuclear power plant tal concerns while also providing
(FNPP) to some countries in West flexibility to Moscow in its external
Asia, Southeast Asia, and Africa. As engagement. By positioning itself as
such, Moscow has already offered a reliable nuclear partner, Russia is
the FNPP to India. able to advance its bilateral ties while
Thirdly, Russia has acknowl-
edged the reality of the emerging circumventing the sanctions imposed
by the West.
multipolar world order in its Con-
cept of Foreign Policy and is re- Dr. Sripathi Narayanan is a Research
aligning itself accordingly. It is in Fellow at Indian Council of World
this context, that Russia’s energy Affairs (ICWA). The views expressed
engagement, including in the nuclear are personal.
sector should also be seen. The joint
communiqué issued during the visit This article first appeared in the web
of Russian Prime Minister Mikhail articles section of the website (www.
Vladimirovich Mishustin to Vietnam icwa.in) of Indian Council of World
mentioned, for instance, that the two Affairs, New Delhi, on March 12, 2025

www.TheIndianEYE.com