NEW DELHI, 23 January 2007 — India will try to show old friend Russia during President Vladimir Putin’s visit this week that its new nuclear honeymoon with the United States has not done anything to weaken their time-tested relations.
Putin will be here on Jan. 25 for a two-day visit and will be the chief guest at this year’s Republic Day function on Jan. 26.
While a number of agreements are expected to be signed during Putin’s visit, top priority is being given to an Indo-Russian nuclear deal, which will figure prominently in discussions between Russian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov and Indian Defense Minister A.K. Antony. Ivanov will be here today, ahead of Putin’s arrival.
India and Russia are likely to sign an agreement on the construction of additional nuclear power plants in Kudankulam in the southern Tamil Nadu state. “In principle, there is an understanding on three more reactors for Kudankulam,” official sources said. Two units are already being built in Kudankulam by Russia.
Signaling Russia’s keenness for nuclear cooperation with India, a top official recently said in Moscow: “We will provide all-round support to India in its quest for civilian nuclear technology, including joint development of new generation reactors, supply of nuclear fuel as it is the only option to satisfy the energy requirements of its rapidly expanding economy.”
According to the official, Moscow and New Delhi will announce their agreement to build four more VVER 1000 units at Kudankulam during Putin’s visit.
Aside from this, India and Russia are expected to announce the establishment of a Joint Energy Committee and a Center for Technological Transfer in Moscow.
Talking about Indo-Russian nuclear cooperation, Uday Bhaskar of the Institute for Defense Studies and Analyses said: “India and Russia have a very special relationship as far as cooperation in civil nuclear field is concerned. Russia has been a reliable partner. Some of our civilian nuclear plants are provided by Russia.”
Last year, Russia played a crucial role in bailing out the fuel-starved nuclear reactors at Tarapore by supplying uranium despite objections from Washington. That was before the Indo-US nuclear deal was reached. Now, according to experts, all new deals would have to meet Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) guidelines.
In addition to nuclear cooperation, India and Russia are expected to agree on deals for strengthening cooperation in defense and space. These include signing of agreements on joint production of multi-role transport aircraft and development and launch of satellites, such as GLONASS (Global Navigational Satellite System).
They are also expected to discuss cooperation in developing a missile shield for their satellites in view of China successfully shooting down one of its satellites in space. “The two countries have graduated from a mere buyer-seller relationship to joint production of defense equipment,” official sources said.
Around 10 agreements are expected to be signed during Putin’s visit. Discussions will also focus on oil and gas exploration, including joint exploration of hydrocarbons in the Bay of Bengal and in third countries.
The two countries will also explore ways and means to raise the volume of trade as both feel that the current level of $3 billion is below potential. New Delhi will also take up the issue of problems faced by Indian businessmen in getting Russian visas. An agreement will be signed to celebrate Russia Year in India in 2008 and India Year in Russia in 2009.
