Bangladesh Signs US Nuclear Pact Amid Russian Fuel Delays

The Government of Bangladesh signed an agreement with the United States on September 26, 2026, to cooperate on the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. Rehan Asif Asad, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Science and Technology, and U.S. Secretary Jacob Helberg signed the pact, which continues a bilateral initiative first established in 1981.

Concurrent with the U.S. agreement, Bangladesh experienced delays in receiving uranium fuel for Unit 2 of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant. The shipment, scheduled to arrive Thursday, was stalled due to airspace restrictions. Sheikh Mohammed Tauhidul Islam of the Bangladesh Science and Technology Ministry noted that preparations at the airport were complete, but a liaison officer from Rosatom reported that the airspace was not clear.

Officials did not specify which country blocked the airspace. The Rooppur plant is being constructed with technical assistance from Russia's Rosatom and oversight from the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission.