Nuclear Cooperation Boost: Kudankulam Back in Focus

Why in News ?

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India has renewed focus on the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP), as Russia accelerated fuel supply commitments and reiterated full support for completing India’s largest atomic energy project.

23rd India–Russia Annual Summit: Strategic Setting

The Kudankulam announcements took place during the 23rd Annual India–Russia Summit, held in New Delhi in December 2025 — a key diplomatic mechanism that has continued since 2000 despite global geopolitical disruptions.

The 23rd Summit focused on:

• Long-term civil nuclear cooperation
• Stable energy supply arrangements
• Joint manufacturing in defence
• Digital, economic and mobility partnerships
• Discussions on small modular reactors (SMRs) and space cooperation

The Summit reaffirmed that energy—particularly nuclear energy—remains the most durable pillar of India–Russia strategic relations.
Kudankulam, being the flagship nuclear project, became a central highlight of the discussions.

Background 

The Kudankulam project traces its origins to the 1988 India–USSR agreement, one of the last major deals signed before the Soviet collapse.
However, due to geopolitical upheavals and India’s nuclear isolation after the 1998 Pokhran tests, construction stalled for years.

The project regained momentum after the 2008 India–US Civil Nuclear Agreement, which opened the door for nuclear cooperation with international partners, including Russia.

Since then:

• Russia has emerged as India’s most consistent nuclear collaborator.
• Kudankulam became a symbol of India’s return to the global civil nuclear framework.
• Units 1 and 2 established the plant as a key pillar of India’s southern power grid.

Putin’s 2025 visit marks the most significant push for the project since its inception.

Kudankulam Nuclear Plant Back in Spotlight

President Putin, during his two-day visit to India, announced that the Kudankulam expansion is progressing rapidly and reaffirmed Russia’s strong backing for the project.

Russia’s state nuclear agency Rosatom recently delivered the first batch of nuclear fuel for Unit 3, marking a major milestone as the reactor moves closer to commissioning.
The fuel consignment was specially flown in from Russia, highlighting the priority Moscow attaches to the project.

Putin stated:

“Two out of six reactor units have already been connected to the energy network, and four are still under construction. Achieving full power output will make an impressive contribution to India’s energy requirements.”

Alongside the existing collaboration, Putin also proposed cooperation in:

• Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)
• Floating nuclear power plants
• Nuclear applications in medicine and agriculture

Reiterating Russia’s role as India’s “most dependable energy partner,” Putin assured continued supply of oil, gas, coal, and nuclear materials without disruption.

About the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant

• Located in Tamil Nadu, Kudankulam is India’s largest nuclear power station.
• The plant is designed for six VVER-1000 light-water reactors, with a total planned capacity of 6,000 MW.

Reactor Status

• Units 1 & 2 – Operational since 2013 and 2016
• Units 3, 4, 5 & 6 – Under various stages of construction

Fuel Supply Framework

• Russia provides lifetime fuel supply under a long-term arrangement.
• The latest fuel assemblies for Unit 3 were produced at Novosibirsk Chemical Concentrates Plant.
• Seven flights will complete the full fuel delivery under the 2024 agreement covering Units 3 and 4.

Why Kudankulam Matters

1. Strengthening the Southern Power Grid

Units 1 and 2 already supply 2,000 MW to Tamil Nadu and neighbouring states—easing peak load pressure and enabling reliable baseload electricity.

2. Boost to India’s Clean Energy Goals

• Nuclear power reduces dependence on fossil fuels
• Supports India’s aim to triple nuclear capacity in the coming years
• Complements renewable energy expansion by providing consistent non-carbon baseload power

3. Enhancing Energy Security

Long-term fuel supply agreements with Russia ensure stability and predictability in nuclear operations.

Broader Impact: Deepening India–Russia Strategic Energy Partnership

• Russia’s renewed commitment advances India’s ambitions in civil nuclear energy.
• Progress on Units 3 and 4, along with discussions on SMRs, strengthens the technological and strategic depth of the partnership.
• Kudankulam’s expansion plays a central role in India’s pursuit of energy diversification and decarbonisation, especially as renewable deployments scale up.

The project’s momentum highlights the alignment between India’s long-term energy planning and Russia’s strategic export priorities.