Bangladesh has sought India's help for setting up a 600 MW nuclear power plant to meet its growing energy needs.
"We have approached India for help to set up a nuclear power plant," said Hamid Khan, a senior scientist in the Atomic Energy Centre run by the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC).
The Bangladesh government had earlier approached a European nation for supplying nuclear reactors but later chose India as it was "closer to home", he said.
"Talks are on at the government level," Khan said. The neighbouring country is facing a power shortfall of over 1,500 MW and hopes to meet the demand through alternative sources like atomic energy.
Bangladesh's reserves of gas and coal have been its primary source of energy, but officials say these will run out within a few decades if they are used at the current rate.
The BAEC hopes to generate at least 1,500 MW with nuclear plants it plans to build, Khan said.
Khan, who was here to attend a conference on "Accelerator and Low Level Radiation Safety", said Bangladesh was expecting to procure 600 MW light water reactors from India.
"We chose India as it is closer to Bangladesh, both culturally and geographically. We will have help at hand nearer than any European country," he said.
Bangladesh has a nuclear programme that mostly caters to the requirements of the medical sector.