'Russian talks with Pak. will not hit ties'

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, SEPT. 28. India today reiterated that it was about to formalise a strategic partnership with Russia and asserted that Moscow's decision to engage Islamabad would not have a negative fall-out on Indo-Russian ties.

In response to questions during a press conference on the stepped-up interaction between Moscow and Islamabad, the Foreign Secretary, Mr. Lalit Mansingh, said the Indo-Russian relations were ``time-tested and based on continuity, trust and mutual understanding.'' He added that the ``mature'' ties between New Delhi and Moscow were not affected by bilateral relations of other countries.

Asked to comment on reports from Moscow that the Pakistani Inter- Services Intelligence had assured Russia that it would restrain the Taliban from training Chechen rebels, the Foreign Secretary said ``we are pleased to note that the ISI will restrain the Taliban.'' The Voice of Russia, in one of its reports, said that the assurance had come during the visit to Pakistan by the Russian President's Special Envoy, Mr. Sergei Yasterzhembsky .

Interaction between Russia and Pakistan has become visible after the meeting of the Russian President, Mr. Vladimir Putin with Pakistan's Chief Executive, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, on the sidelines of the UN Millennium summit.

Mr. Mansingh pointed out that India and Russia would sign a historic declaration to establish a strategic partnership during the visit of Mr. Vladimir Putin to India. The two sides would also sign agreements in the fields of defence, nuclear energy, civil aviation, agriculture, education and culture. According to Mr. Mansingh, the emergence of democracy in Russia and the commitment of both countries to a market economy had added yet another dimension to the ``multi-faceted'' Indo-Russian ties.

On the economic side, India and Russia, have decided to trade in diamonds and expand cooperation in the oil and gas sector. Russia is the largest producer of rough diamonds while India has a 55 per cent share of small polished diamonds in the world.

India's diamond sales fetch Rs. 28,701 crores for the national exchequer. On hydrocarbons, the Oil and Natural Gas Commission (Videsh) will look for oil in Russia's Sakhalin region. The two countries also wish to work together in this sector in Kazakhstan as well as Iraq.

Defence ties

India and Russia are also set to upgrade their defence ties. During Mr. Putin's stay, the two sides will establish an inter- governmental commission on Military Technical Cooperation at the ministerial level. According to highly placed sources in the Government, the formalisation of the commission will coincide with the finalisation of key defence deals. This includes signatures on purchases of 300 T-90 tanks. Indian and Russian officials have been engaged in extended price negotiations for these tanks. While the Russian side has demanded $2.3 million per tank, the Indian side has been unwilling to budge from the price tag of $2.1 million.

The sale of the Russian aircraft carrier, Admiral Gorshkov is also expected to be through during the visit. While Russia is willing to part with the carrier free of cost, New Delhi will pay for the modernisation of this 40,000-tonne ship. The package also includes the transfer of the around 40 MiG-29 K planes which will take-off and land from the Gorshkov's deck.

Mr. Putin's trip is also likely to clear the avionics package for the SU-30 MKI planes for India. India has already contracted for the transfer of 40 SU-30 planes form Russia. India, however, is likely to induct around 100 SU-30s in its inventory.

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