The Russian cabinet has approved the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to expand bilateral cooperation with India in civil nuclear energy during President Vladimir Putin’s visit to New Delhi on 4–5 December. Russia’s state nuclear corporation, Rosatom — which is constructing multiple reactors at the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant in Tamil Nadu — has been authorised to sign the MoU on behalf of the Russian government, according to local media reports.

Speaking to Indian journalists on Tuesday, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Rosatom CEO Alexei Ligachev will bring a substantial portfolio of proposals to the summit, including cooperation on small modular reactors. Earlier reports indicate that Rosatom has also signalled its willingness to localise advanced Russian reactor technologies in India.