M A I N   N E W S

Putin urges India to sign CTBT

MUMBAI, Oct 5 (PTI) — The Russian President, Mr Vladimir Putin, today exhorted India to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) but at the same time appreciated the country’s strategic compulsions over the issue.

“We would like to see India participating in the CTBT”, he said in his address to the nuclear scientific fraternity at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), the country’s premier nuclear establishment here.

“However, Russia realises India’s concerns over being a signatory to the CTBT which are based on her (India’s) own strategic vision”, Mr Putin, the first Russian President to visit the BARC, said.

He, however, went on to underline Russia’s strong commitment to the United Nations millennium declaration that emphasises total nuclear disarmament, sustainable economics and care of the ecology of the planet.

The Russian President, clad in a black suit, accompanied by his Atomic Energy Minister, Mr Evgeny Adanov, among others, spoke extempore for seven minutes.

Mr Putin was all praise for Indian nuclear scientists, as he lauded their reactor safety record.

Highlighting the importance of socio-economic repercussions of the proposed Russian nuclear reactor project at Kudankulam in Tamil Nadu, Mr Putin said cost of power from the project will be “reasonable”.

Later, Mr Putin left here for Moscow in the afternoon, winding up his four-day state visit to India that gave a fresh impetus to Indo-Russian ties.

The Russian President was seen off at the airport by the Maharashtra Governor Dr P.C. Alexander, the Chief Minister, Mr Vilasrao Deshmukh, the Deputy Chief Minister, Mr Chhagan Bhujbal, and a host of other dignitaries.

Russia backs Indian stand on Pak
Tribune News Service

NEW DELHI, Oct 5 — A joint statement, issued today at the conclusion of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s four-day visit, has supported the Indian position on the resumption of dialogue with Pakistan that normalisation of relations with Islamabad was not possible until support for cross-border terrorism did not cease.

The joint statement reflects almost complete unanimity of views on regional and international issues.

“The Russian side, while reaffirming its support for India’s efforts to normalise its relation with Pakistan on the basis of the 1972 Simla Agreement, appreciated the position of India that the composite dialogue as part of the Lahore process could be resumed only when necessary measures are taken for cessation of support for cross-border terrorism and for respect of the Line of Control”, the joint statement said.

The statement puts to rest all speculations about a shift in Russia’s policy on Pakistan.

On Kashmir, Moscow has appreciated the measures taken by India for combating terrorism and ushering in normalcy in the State of Jammu and Kashmir.

India has also expressed its support to the steps taken by the Russian Federation in the Republic of Chechnya in the protection of its territorial integrity and Constitutional order.

The two sides have agreed to establish an Eminent Persons Group with a view to rendering assistance and preparing recommendations to the governments of both countries in connection with various initiatives aimed at a further development of bilateral relations and strengthening of cooperation on regional and international issues.

The statement also confirms deepening of cooperation in peaceful uses of atomic energy as well as space.

Recognising the need to ensure energy supply and given the vast untapped potential for cooperation in the field of energy, the two sides agreed to continue efforts for early conclusion of the Heads of Agreement between the ONGC Videsh Limited of India and Rosneft of the Russian Federation on the Sakhalin-I project, the statement said.

India and Russia have also decided to work together, and with others towards a multipolar world based on sovereign equality of all states, territorial integrity and non-interference in their internal affairs as the only sustainable basis of the emergence of a new, equitable and just international order.

Coming down heavily against international crime, the statement said that the two countries consider the growing menace of international terrorism, extremism, ethnic separatism, trans-border organised crime and drug trafficking as a significant threat to international peace and stability.

Both sides have underlined the importance of joint efforts for establishing solid international legal basis for cooperation in combating international terrorism, including thorough adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism moved by India at the UN and the Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism moved by Russia at the UN. India has also supported the Russian initiative made at the UN Millennium summit in New York to hold an international conference in Moscow in the spring of 2001 on the Prevention of Militarisation of Outer Space.

The statement has expressed deep concern over the situation prevailing in Afghanistan.