US seeks accomodation on Bangladesh's nuclear map

For a long time, Russia stood as Bangladesh's sole partner in its nuclear journey. From the Rooppur Power Plant and extensive financial loans to training thousands of engineers—Moscow’s influence reached across every aspect. Bangladesh has also been drawing on Russian assistance to utilize nuclear energy in healthcare and other sectors. However, a shift is underway in this single-source dependency. Alongside Moscow, Dhaka is now extending its reach toward the United States, shaping a new strategic balance informed by past history and current realities.

Amid Russian interest in constructing a second nuclear power plant of equal capacity alongside the ongoing Rooppur project, recent meetings and agreements between Dhaka and Washington clearly signal that Bangladesh intends to carving out space for the United States.

Russia is financing 90 percent of the $12.5 billion Rooppur project through loans that Bangladesh will repay over 28 years. Around 1,500 Bangladeshi scientists, engineers, and personnel have already trained with Russian support to manage operations. Power generation from the first unit is expected to begin next year.

Following his election as President of the UN General Assembly, Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman made his first official foreign visit to Moscow, highlighting Rooppur as a "unique symbol" of bilateral relations. During the same month, talks with the Director General of Russia's state nuclear corporation Rosatom, the State Atomic Energy Corporation of Russia, covered potential collaborations on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and floating nuclear power plants.

Amid these developments, steps have been taken to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on civil nuclear cooperation with the United States.

The proposed MoU encompasses power plant construction, nuclear fuel, and radioactive waste management. It also addresses opportunities for peaceful applications of nuclear technology in research, medicine, agriculture, and other fields. Once signed, the MoU will remain in force for five years, subject to cancellation or renewal.

Officials clarify that this is not an entirely new initiative, but rather an effort to establish a fresh legal framework, given that the previous Bangladesh-US nuclear cooperation agreement signed in 1981 and last renewed in 1991 expired long ago.

In early August, during a three-day visit to Dhaka by Sergio Gor, Special Envoy of the US President for South and Central Asian Affairs, Washington proposed signing this civil nuclear MoU. The matter was raised in meetings with Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

On August 9, a draft of the agreement was reviewed in a meeting chaired by Science and Technology Ministry Secretary Md. Anwar Hossain.
It was decided during the meeting to further review the draft and complete the necessary governmental procedures. Three weeks later, at the end of August, Minister for Science and Technology Faqir Mahbub Anam met with US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright in Washington. Discussions focused primarily on Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology, energy security, and knowledge exchange.

The minister said that Dhaka is seriously considering the potential of SMRs to meet its growing energy demands, while the US Secretary highlighted Washington's priority on developing next-generation nuclear technology.

A condition was included in the Bangladesh-US reciprocal trade agreement signed in February during the final tenure of the interim government—which brought retaliatory tariffs down to 19 percent. The clause states that nuclear reactors, fuel rods, or enriched uranium cannot be purchased from any country deemed a risk to US security or strategic interests. Although the under-construction Rooppur Power Plant is exempted from this condition, the clause will apply to future nuclear energy initiatives. This has raised concerns among observers regarding potential diplomatic complications for future expansions or fuel supplies for the Russian-built Rooppur plant.

Russia's massive financial investment, loans, and training infrastructure continue to tie Bangladesh to Moscow for the long term, accompanied by ongoing commitments to deepen bilateral energy cooperation. At the same time, diplomatic observers view Dhaka's initiative to build a new legal framework with Washington and its interest in SMR technology as part of its energy diversification strategy.

However, the terms of the trade agreement clearly signal Washington's intent: Bangladesh must weigh US strategic interests when selecting future sources of nuclear technology. While framing this as a complete shift from Russia to the United States would be an oversimplification at this stage, it remains to be seen which way Dhaka's balance will tilt in the post-Rooppur nuclear chapter.

Nuclear expert Professor Dr. Shafiqul Islam told Agamir Somoy, "Bangladesh has bilateral agreements with Russia, France, and five other nations regarding the peaceful use of nuclear energy. Bangladesh acquired its research reactor through the 1981 nuclear agreement with the US. Updating the previous agreement with the United States will strengthen the country's nuclear infrastructure. Maintaining agreements with multiple countries reduces reliance on a single nation, but we must always prioritize our national interests."