Russia keen to help India in N-energy sector: Putin
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
New Delhi, Mar 12, IRNA -- Assuring India of support in the nuclear energy sector through building of reactors and supply of fuel, Russian Federation Prime Minister Vladimir Putin today said India had expressed keenness in his country's help for disposal of nuclear waste too.
"Our (India and Russia) cooperation is in construction and building of nuclear reactors, supply of nuclear fuel and India has expressed interest for help in disposal of nuclear waste," Putin, who arrived here last night on a two-day India visit, said at video conference with businessmen from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Bangalore, PTI reported.
Regarding safety of the reactors, with the Chernobyl experience during the Soviet era behind it, he said upgrading and increasing the safety features in nuclear power plants were the key elements of Russian technology that it would provide India.
"We have established next generation reactors in Russia and there are 30 major reactors there and 28 new ones are coming up in the near future. While using home-built technology, there is need to ensure safety. Russian nuclear reactors are regarded as the safest in the world," he said.
Russia is eyeing to build 12 to 14 new nuclear reactors in India.
"We are building a strategic partnership with India in the nuclear sector," he said.
Noting that the two countries have a long-standing cooperation in the area of space exploration and its research, Putin said preparations were in progress to take an Indian astronaut into space on a Russian launch vehicle shortly.
Referring to the Indian Moon mission, Chandrayaan, Putin said research on the planet would be a priority area for both the countries.
"Joint effort in Moon research is very important to both our countries due to the possibilities available there. Working together, we can find solutions to common problems," he said.
"Though space research is a costly programme, with timely planning of budget and resources, we can do a lot in this area," he added.
Turning on to Afghanistan, Pakistan situation, Russian Federation Prime Minister expressed concern over terror groups operating from within Afghanistan and Pakistan, saying it was a threat to the entire world.
Putin, who is in India on a two-day visit, said Russia understood well the concerns of India regarding banned terror outfits operating against it from within Pakistan's soil.
Putin said: "As far as terror groups in Afghanistan and Pakistan are concerned, it is a matter of worry for the entire region and in fact, the whole world."
He said due to the proximity of India and Russia to Afghanistan border, the situation in the troubled Asian country "did impact the security" of both the two countries. END
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End News / IRNA / News Code 1008643
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