The Hindu : National : Talks on new nuclear plants will continue: Zhukov

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Saturday, Nov 20, 2004

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Talks on new nuclear plants will continue: Zhukov

By Amit Baruah

NEW DELHI, NOV. 19. The Russian Deputy Prime Minister, Alexander Zhukov, said today that Russia was "determined, in principle" to expand cooperation in the civilian nuclear power sector beyond the Koodanakulam project by holding talks with the Government of India.

Stating that Russia was aware of the "large plans" that India had in the field, Mr. Zhukov, at the same time, pointed to Russia's international treaty commitments (under the Nuclear Suppliers' Group). Leaving the door open for further cooperation, he said that discussions on the issue would continue with India.

In an interview to The Hindu, Mr. Zhukov, who co-chaired the joint commission meeting with the External Affairs Minister, Natwar Singh, said that Russia was keen on making billion-dollar investments in both thermal and hydel power sectors in India.

Major partner

Pointing to the fact that Russian companies had been involved in the Tehri hydel project as well as other NTPC tenders, Mr. Zhukov said that in the long term Russia would become India's "major partner" in the power and energy sector.

Referring to the joint commission meeting, he said both sides appreciated the participation of ONGC Videsh in Sakhalin-I and further cooperation in "Sakhalin-III" and third country oil and gas fields.

Mr. Zhukov, who is Russia's economic czar and has a degree from Harvard University, said India and Russia had also approved two "draft" agreements in high-technology cooperation.

The Russian Space Agency and the Indian Space Research Organisation had decided to enter into a long-term agreement for the "peaceful use" by ISRO of the Russian satellite navigations system, Glonas. Also, they would sign an accord on the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes. The protocol signed by the two sides also noted the progress made in the development of a joint supercomputer, "Padma-Ru".

According to Mr. Zhukov, the two countries had also agreed to set up a Russia-India Science and Technology Centre in Moscow.

Market economy status

The Deputy Prime Minister, however, remained concerned that India had still to accord Russia "market economy" status — that had been granted unconditionally by China, the European Union and the United States.

When it came to anti-dumping procedures relating to India, Russia had to "prove" each time that it was a market economy, Mr. Zhukov said. This was a major problem. One option to avoid this would be for the two countries to exchange letters with India recognising Russia's "market economy" status unconditionally.

Earlier, at a joint press conference with Mr. Singh, he said he was very satisfied with the results of his visit. 'The two sides had also agreed to "finalise" issues relating to Russia's entry into the World Trade Organisation. In his opening remarks, Mr. Singh said he expected business travel and tourism to receive a boost through easier visa facilities.

"An agreement is in the final stages of discussion between the two Governments."

Mr. Singh said the first Indo-Russian Round Table on Information Technology would be held in Bangalore on December 1-2. Fifteen major Russian IT companies will participate. Also, the first Indo-Russian energy meet will be held in New Delhi on January 15.

"We expect Canara Bank and State Bank of India to sign agreements shortly with two Russian banks to facilitate trade and mutual bank guarantees," he added.

Lack of bank guarantees have long been a problem in boosting trade between the two sides, which stood at $1.67 billion in 2003.

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