A Russian cargo flight carrying nuclear fuel for Bangladesh’s Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant could not reach the country on schedule. It did not receive the required clearance to use Pakistani airspace. The shipment was due to arrive on September 24.
Bangladesh Confirms the Delay
Bangladesh’s Science and Technology Minister, Faqir Mahbub Anam, confirmed that the shipment was delayed because the flight could not get the required permission from Pakistan. According to Bangladeshi officials, the flight was meant to pass through Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Pakistan and India before landing in Dhaka. Rosatom, Russia’s state-owned nuclear energy company, is implementing the Rooppur project and is responsible for supplying its fuel.
Pakistan High Commission Responds
In a clarification issued on Tuesday, the Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka said the matter appeared to relate to technical and procedural arrangements on flight routing and airspace permissions. It added that Pakistan processes all diplomatic flight and overflight requests within a standard, predictable timeframe. The mission also said Pakistan remains committed to international diplomatic norms.
A Message on Bilateral Ties
The High Commission urged observers not to treat the incident as a setback to bilateral relations. Dhaka and Islamabad have recently been working to rebuild ties, and the mission asked that the incident be seen in its technical context only.
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Meeting with the Foreign Minister of State
Pakistan’s High Commissioner, Imran Haider, later met Bangladesh’s junior foreign affairs minister, Humaiun Kobir. Kobir said the airspace issue was not discussed at the meeting.
Russia is expected to use an alternative route, and delivery is now expected in early October, according to reports. The delay is not expected to stop fuel from reaching Rooppur.
Why Rooppur nuclear power Matters
Rooppur is Bangladesh’s first nuclear power facility. The flight was carrying uranium for the project’s second unit. With Bangladesh facing power supply pressure, the timing of fuel deliveries draws close attention.
