India, Russia to discuss n-issues

By C. Raja Mohan

NEW DELHI, OCT. 2. As part of their efforts to build a new partnership in a changing world, India and Russia are likely to discuss various issues relating to nuclear non-proliferation and cooperation in the peaceful uses of atomic energy during the four-day visit by the Russian President, Mr. Vladimir Putin.

The Russian President, one of the youngest leaders in the world today, arrived here this evening. In a special personal gesture, the Prime Minister Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, is hosting a private dinner for the Russian leader tonight. Mr. Putin will be formally welcomed tomorrow in the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

One of the highlights of the visit, first by a Russian leader in about seven years, will be a trip to the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre at Trombay later this week. Mr. Putin will have an extended interaction with the nuclear establishment there. That the leader of a nuclear power is going to the heart of the Indian atomic weapons establishment is unlikely to be ignored in the rest of the world.

Mr. Putin's visit to the BARC also reflects the reality that Russia today is the only great power which is ready to cooperate with India in the atomic energy sector.

Despite unrelenting pressure from the United States a few years ago, Russia has pressed ahead with plans to build two nuclear power reactors at Koodankulam in Tamil Nadu.

Senior officials in the atomic energy establishment have expressed the hope that the on-going cooperation in nuclear power generation may be expanded further during the Russian leader's visit. Mr. Putin's top aides in the Kremlin told the press last week that the two sides were discussing various ideas for increasing cooperation in the civilian nuclear energy sector. But there was no suggestion that a final agreement had been reached. Many political obstacles would have to be overcome before substantive Indo-Russian nuclear cooperation is institutionalised.

In a recent interview to the Indian media, Mr. Putin insisted that Russia's ``plans for nuclear cooperation with India are strictly in keeping with its commitments under relevant international obligations.''

Moscow and New Delhi have to come to terms with the meaning and relevance of Russia's international obligations and how they relate to bilateral nuclear cooperation. While considering greater nuclear interaction with India, Mr. Putin is likely to seek India's commitment to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty at an early date. Russia has already signed and ratified the treaty.

India is likely to reiterate its decision to abide by the self- imposed moratorium on nuclear tests and refer to its efforts to build a domestic political consensus on the CTBT. India wants external cooperation to boost its sagging atomic energy programme. Besides Russia, New Delhi has been looking at other suppliers including France.

Mr. Putin has a heavy schedule in the next few days. His official meeting with the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, tomorrow will be followed by delegation-level talks.

Besides a declaration on strategic partnership, the two sides will sign more than ten agreements that cover a very broad spectrum of areas from enhanced defence cooperation to cultural exchanges. Senior officials from both sides are giving final touches to the many agreements that are to be signed.

Mr. Putin will also meet the President, Mr. K. R. Narayanan, the Vice-President, Mr. Krishan Kant, and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Ms. Sonia Gandhi, and address a joint sitting of Parliament on Wednesday. He will receive an honorary degree from the Jawaharlal Nehru University tomorrow.

After a brief visit to Agra, Mr. Putin moves on to Mumbai for extensive scientific and commercial interactions before leaving for home on Thursday.

A historic visit

NEW DELHI, OCT. 2. The Russian President, Mr. Vladimir Putin, arrived here tonight on a four-day state visit that is expected to give a fresh impetus to bilateral ties.

Leading a 70-member high-power delegation, Mr. Putin, accompanied by his wife, Ms. Lyudmila Putin, was warmly received by the External Affairs Minister, Mr. Jaswant Singh, as he flew in by an IL-96 special aircraft. The delegation included the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Ilya Klebanov, the Foreign Minister, Mr. Igor Ivanov, and the Defence Minister, Mr. Igor Sergeyev.

The President, dressed in a black suit, waved to reporters as he alighted from the aircraft. He was presented with a bouquet on behalf of the President, Mr. K. R. Narayanan.

- PTI

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