KYIV: The diplomatic offensive by New Delhi, in its quest for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), found favour here with the Ukraine stating that India "deserves'' to be on it. This came up during talks between the two sides that saw the signing of two agreements, including cooperation in outer space.

"We think India deserves to be on the United Nations Security Council and we also appreciate a East European nation (as a non-permanent member) on it (included in the G4 draft resolution on changes in UNSC),''the Ukrainian President, Viktor Yushchenko, said at a joint press conference with President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam at Maryinski Palace on Thursday.

Mr. Kalam, who arrived here from Reykjavik on Wednesday evening on the last leg of his four-nation tour, headed the delegation-level talks that was preceded by a one-on-one meeting with Mr. Yushchenko that lasted 45 minutes.

The Ukraine stand comes after New Delhi enlisted support of Russia and Iceland, with Reykjavik agreeing to co-sponsor the G4 (India, Japan, Brazil and Germany) draft resolution, during Mr. Kalam's fortnight-long sojourn. Mr. Kalam said he raised the issue of reforms in the United Nations and on the possibility of supporting India's candidature in the expanded Council.

Agreement signed

In the presence of the two Presidents, a framework agreement of cooperation in the peaceful use of outer space and a memorandum of understanding in the sphere of standardisation metrology, conformity assessment and quality were signed. The ISRO chief, N. Madhavan Nair, signed the agreement on space cooperation with the Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Borys Tarasyuk.

S. Kipgen, Indian Ambassador to the Ukraine, and M. Negrych, Head of Ukraine State Committee for Technical Registration and Consumer Policy, signed the other agreement.

Among the other areas of cooperation identified was to increase the level of bilateral trade from $728 million to $1 billion by next year and $5 billion by 2010. Both sides agreed to set up a task force to draw up an action plan for the next two years to reach the target.

Space research

As regards expanding cooperation in space research, the two space agencies would develop an action plan by October this year. The Ukraine also sought collaboration with India for developing a 150 to 200- seat transport aircraft.

Exchange programme

Mr. Kalam's suggestion that both countries have an exchange programme for children below 17 years of age to spend time during vacations with a family was accepted by Mr. Yushchenko.

India also suggested that `Days of Ukraine in India' and `Days of India in Ukraine' be held to mark expanding cultural engagements. Both countries are close to signing of agreements in education and culture, according to Jamini Bhagwati, Joint Secretary (Eurasia) who briefed correspondents later.

The President was accorded a ceremonial guard of honour at the Maryinski Palace with gun salute on Thursday morning. During the day he placed a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, addressed Verkhovna Rada, Ukrainian Parliament, and attended a banquet hosted in his honour by Mr. Yushchenko.

A lesson

Interacting with the Indian community here on Wednesday night, Mr. Kalam said sanctions imposed on the country after the 1998 nuclear tests gave a lesson that India should be self-reliant.

"Everyone rose to the occasion from farming community to the non-resident Indians and we came out,'' Mr. Kalam said responding to questions by Indians settled here.

The President said that it should be the goal of every Indian to make the country self-reliant in all fields.

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