International   

Indo-Pak. tensions to figure in Russia-U.S. talks

By Atul Aneja

MANAMA (BAHRAIN) JULY 24. After concluding visits to Iran and India, the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, Vyacheslav Trubnikov, is heading for Washington for consultations on Indo-Pak. tensions, Iran's nuclear energy programme and developments in Afghanistan.

According to diplomatic sources, Mr. Trubnikov will hold talks with the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, Richard Armitage, later this week.

Recent developments involving India and Pakistan are also expected to be prominently discussed during Mr. Trubnikov's stay in Washington. Sources

pointed out that apart from exchanging notes on Afghanistan, Russian and Indian officials in New Delhi spent a great deal of time discussing Indo-Pak. developments.

The U.S. side, the sources said, is encouraging Moscow to engage both New Delhi and Islamabad. While maintaining its special ties with India, Russia has shown an inclination to find a niche in Islamabad, with an eye on obtaining more information on the Chechen rebels that Islamabad might have and to position itself for a role in the future oil and gas projects involving Central Asia, Afghanistan and Pakistan. The Pakistan President, Pervez Musharraf, is expected to visit Moscow in the near future.

During his stay in Iran, Mr. Trubnikov asserted that Russia would continue to support the construction of a civilian nuclear power station in Bushehr. The U.S. has opposed Russia-Iran cooperation in this field as it apprehends that this could help Iran acquire the capability to build atomic

Weapons.Iranian exertions in the nuclear field are also of special significance to the U.S. ally, Israel, because of Iran's close links with the anti-Israel Hezbollah groups in Lebanon and its ties with Syria.

Mr. Trubnikov, who held talks with his Iranian counterpart, Mohsen Aminzade, as well as the Iranian national security chief, Hasan Rouhani, said fears about the misuse of the Bushehr facility were unfounded as the plant would be open to international scrutiny.

The Russian side is also expected to apprise Mr. Armitage about the latest Iranian views on developments in Afghanistan. Iran is a key player in the Afghan developments and had contributed significantly to the signing of the |Bonn accord as well as the convening of the Loya Jirga.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

International

News: Front Page | National | Southern States | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary |

Stories in this Section

• W. ASIA: A spiral of violence feared
• Blair warns IRA
• U.S. hails Pak. role in anti-terror campaign
• Pak. seeks resumption of defence ties with U.S.
• MPs come to blows in Sri Lankan Parliament
• Russia worried by U.S. film onslaught
• Indo-Pak. tensions to figure in Russia-U.S. talks
• Memorial for first flight in U.K. rededicated
• Sri Lankan peace process gaining momentum: Ranil
• Pak. court defends eligibility criteria
• Rules for Pak. political parties notified

Copyright © 2002, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu