Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will pay a three-day visit to Russia on January 14-16 to sign several deals including setting up of a 1,000MW nuclear power plant and in areas of defence, education and culture.
In an official announcement, the foreign ministry yesterday said the premier would visit the Russian Federation at the invitation of the Russian leadership.
During the visit, among others, the prime minister would be holding talks with the Russian Federation, led by Vladimir Putin, and discuss entire gamut of relations as also a number of possible sectoral engagements.
Sources said Hasina would lead a big delegation, which included Foreign Minister Dipu Moni, State Minister for Science and Technology Yeafesh Osman, and high officials from the ministries of power, defence, education and cultural affairs.
The Foreign Ministry announcement said a number of bilateral cooperation instruments that is Agreements/MoUs in different areas are expected to be signed. These cooperation engagements are to contribute to advancement of relations between the two countries, including in the area of nuclear energy sector, it said.
Sources at the Ministry of Science and Technology said Moscow had assured Dhaka of providing 90 percent of the total cost of the nuke plant. The 1,000MW nuke plant would cost Tk 12,000 crore to Tk. 15,000 crore.
During the visit, Dhaka and Moscow would ink a deal on Russian loan for the power plant.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is also expected to visit the prestigious Moscow State University and address a gathering of students. It may be recalled that Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman also addressed the university when he visited Moscow decades back.
Soon after the independence, in April 1972, Bangabandhu paid an official visit to Moscow in conveying independent Bangladesh's deep appreciation for the support received during Bangladesh's War of Liberation from the government and people of erstwhile Soviet Union.