Bato-Zhargal Zhambalnimbuyev, member of Nuclear Energy Sub-Committee of Federation Council

– We enjoy strategic partnership with India in the field of peaceful use of nuclear energy

Russia and India have signed an agreement for the construction of four more reactors at Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant and for cooperation at other sites. The agreement was signed in New Delhi during the official visit of President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev to India.

The policy of the Russian Federation in the last years has been very dynamic. The country is restoring its positions in some sectors and is taking crucial steps in some directions. The agreement for the construction of four more reactors at Kudankulam NPP and for cooperation at other sites is one of them.

We enjoy strategic partnership with India in the field of peaceful use of nuclear energy. India is a big dynamically developing country. So, no surprise that we are moving exactly in this direction. This agreement has long been discussed in both Russian and Indian circles. I think that this is a big advantage for our nuclear industry: our nuclear companies will secure additional contracts and will be able to enlarge their capacities in this direction. 

The recent decision of the Nuclear Suppliers Group to lift its restrictions on India will allow us continuing our cooperation in the field of peaceful use of nuclear energy. This will attract our rivals too. But we are not afraid of competition: competition makes us stronger. We have specific competitive advantages in the field of nuclear technologies: we offer products of very high quality and low cost value. We have lots of innovations and new approaches. We have significant technological and economic advantages in production of effective and safe nuclear reactors. But we must not relax and must look into the future.
 
Russia has ambitious plans to develop nuclear energy not only at home but also abroad. The agreement with India proves that we have quite serious intentions in this direction.