Date:21/11/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/11/21/stories/2007112162331400.htm

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Deals with U.S., Russia interlinked: PM

Harish Khare

ON BOARD THE PRIME MINISTER’S SPECIAL AIRCRAFT: The 123 agreement with the United States and the deal with Russia for nuclear reactors are interlinked, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Tuesday. “Well, it has always been understood as such by us as well as the Russians,” he said replying to a question by mediapersons on his way to Singapore to attend the India-ASEAN summit.

“Russia supportive”

Dr. Singh said Russian President Vladimir Putin was being very helpful in the matter. “I discussed this matter with President Putin now [during the recent visit to Moscow] and in the last two years. Russia has been very supportive of India. They are supportive of India in dealing with the IAEA, and also we have the assurances of their support when the matter goes before the NSG.”

As for China’s attitude to the proposed nuclear deal, the Prime Minister carefully noted, “I think the Chinese have not said they would not support us.”