Russia has announced that it will supply next-generation nuclear fuel to its strategic partner this summer. The announcement was made by Alexey Likhachev, the head of Russia’s state nuclear corporation Rosatom, during a visit by Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Chairman of India’s Atomic Energy Commission, to the Siberian region of Tomsk on Thursday.

During the visit, Likhachev showcased the site of the Pilot Demonstration Energy Complex (PDEC) in Seversk, Tomsk region, which is part of the “Proryv” (“Breakthrough”) strategic industry project. He described the facility as hosting “the safest atomic reactor in history” and highlighted Russia’s readiness to significantly expand its cooperation with India in the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

“We are ready for a serious expansion of cooperation with India in the field of using nuclear energy for peaceful purposes,” Likhachev stated. “This includes, first and foremost, the serial construction of Russian-designed high-capacity nuclear power units at a new site in India, implementation of land-based and floating low-power generation projects, cooperation in the nuclear fuel cycle area, as well as in the field of non-power applications of nuclear technologies.”

Mohanty, accompanied by Indian Ambassador to Russia Vinay Kumar, also visited Tomsk State University and met with regional governor Vladimir Mazur during his trip to Tomsk. The Ambassador discussed potential areas of cooperation, including pharmaceuticals, high technology, education, and research with Mazur. At the university, Kumar delivered an open lecture on “India-Russia relations in the current global scenario” and interacted with Indian students from various universities in Tomsk.

(Inputs from ANI)