The BRICS TimesRosatom CEO Aleksey Likhachev says cooperation between Moscow and New Delhi is expanding in next-generation technologies
Rosatom CEO Aleksey Likhachev says cooperation between Moscow and New Delhi is expanding in next-generation technologies
India has expressed strong interest in working alongside Russia on the development of fourth-generation nuclear energy, according to Rosatom CEO Aleksey Likhachev.
Speaking to the media during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit held in Tianjin, China on Monday, the head of Russia’s state nuclear corporation emphasized that New Delhi is also exploring opportunities to utilize Arctic maritime routes for trade and transport.
“They [India], maybe like no other, are interested in developing the new fourth generation of nuclear energy with us,” Likhachev stated.
Highlighting India’s focus on advanced technologies, he further remarked: “Our Indian friends pay special attention to the technology of tomorrow. This is quantum technology. And in the format of the BRICS platform, we see the maximum interest in our quantum projects and in this cooperation from our Indian friends.”
Rosatom has already built two reactor units at the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP) in India, each with a capacity of 2000 MW. The company has plans to bring a third unit online in 2026 and a fourth in 2027. In addition, a framework agreement has been signed to establish two more reactor units in the country. Reports also suggest that India is considering another large-scale power project designed by Russia, along with smaller nuclear facilities.
During the SCO gathering in Tianjin, Likhachev referred to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s observations on Arctic shipping, stressing its strategic potential. “Again, Prime Minister [Modi] said today that in his opinion, one of the most promising new directions of action is the Northern Sea route,” Likhachev noted.
The Northern Sea Route, stretching across Russia’s Arctic and Far Eastern territories, is seen as an emerging corridor that could significantly cut transport times for shipments between Europe and Asia, offering an alternative to traditional channels like the Suez and Panama canals.
According to Likhachev, a joint intergovernmental working group has already been formed between India and Russia to advance cooperation in Arctic shipping. “There are target numbers for the coming years – to reach 5 million tonnes of transit with India via the Northern Sea Route. And I am sure our cooperation won’t be limited to that,” he said.
