The Hindu : Front Page : Russian think tank backs India-U.S. nuclear deal

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Aug 30, 2007
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Russian think tank backs India-U.S. nuclear deal

Sandeep Dikshit

India-Russia nuclear ties set to enter a new phase, says National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan

NEW DELHI: With the anticipated end of the country’s isolation from global commerce in the nuclear field, India-Russia nuclear partnership will enter a new phase, National Security Adviser (NSA) M.K. Narayanan told his Russian interlocutors in Moscow.

Mr. Narayanan is discussing security, defence and regional security issues with Russian officials. He said the re-opening of nuclear collaboration would not only mean expanding the relationship in constructing the nuclear plant at Koodankulam in Tamil Nadu but also collaboration in new projects, according to Andrei Orlov, chief of PIR Centre (Centre for Policy Studies), a quasi-government think tank backed by influential persons in the decision-making process.

In addition, India indicated that cooperation would be extended to other strategic fields such as space. The NSA also indicated that the clouds over the India-U.S. deal had almost lifted despite misgivings in some Indian political circles.

Outlining the Russian position, Dr. Orlov described the deal as a “rare bird” in U.S.-Russian relations as both countries seemed to be supporting India in its bid to break out of nuclear seclusion. The agreement is following the mainstream of world security rules and would preserve stability and peace in the world. India plays a unique role in the world order and that’s why Russia feels it should not be compared with Pakistan and Israel, the two countries along with India, which have not signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

“Highly balanced”

Describing India’s position on security as well as on using its nuclear potential as “highly balanced,” Dr. Orlov said the international agencies [the International Atomic Energy and the Nuclear Suppliers’ Group] should consider its case as a special one.

Although the result would be intense competition for Indian orders by the U.S., French, Russian and companies from other countries, Russia looks upon India as a strategic partner while backing the deal.

Mr. Narayanan also held a closed-door meeting with Chief of General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, Colonel-General Yuri Baluevsky, and was reported to have discussed regional security templates, particularly the situation in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Dr. Orlov, considered a leading expert on international security and foreign policy, is involved with several European and Central Asian think tanks. He is also a member of the Public Board at the Russian Ministry of Defence.

The PIR Centre also has people like Roland Timberland, one of the co-authors of the NPT. He also actively drafted key international agreements in the nuclear sphere, including the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty and the IAEA safeguards system.

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