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Supply of uranium to India within "int'l framework: Russian PM

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

New Delhi, March 17, IRNA
India-Russia-Nuclear
Visiting Russian Prime Minister, Mikhail Fradkov asserted that Russia's decision to supply uranium to India's Tarapur nuclear plant did "not contradict international commitment" and was within "international framework."
Breaking silence over US reservations on the supply uranium to India he said, "We are cooperating on this matter. We have served this issue within international framework and it does not contradict international commitments," Fradkov said at a business meeting jointly organised by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) and Associated Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ASSOCHAM), here last evening.

When asked whether Russia was surprised at the US opposition to the sale of nuclear fuel to India, he evaded a direct reply and said "We have informed the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) about supply of fuel to Tarapur Atomic Power Station (TAPS).

"The sale of uranium is in the interest of both the countries (India and Russia)," he said without elaborating.

Russia, heeding to India's request, has decided to supply 60 metric tonnes of urgently-needed uranium to TAPS to enable it to function with "safety".

Washington has expressed reservations to the move saying such a step should be taken only after India fulfils its obligations under the Indo-US civil nuclear deal.

Speaking on the occasion the Indian Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Kamal Nath said that India and Russia are now looking beyond the traditional trade and focussing on new areas like auto- components, information technology, agro and food processing, telecom, bio-technology and management education to achieve US $ 10 billion bilateral trade by 2010, a five-fold jump from the present US $ 2 billion.

Nath said small and medium businesses were vital aspects of India's growth story, and SMEs required greater interaction between the two countries.

Procurement of rough diamonds from Russia for diamond cutting and polishing industry was another potential area, he added.

"The Focus-CIS program of the government opens several possibilities and our industry should use Russia as the gateway to the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)," he said, adding a MoU was signed last month that mandates setting up a Joint Study Group (JSG) to prepare an action plan within this year for achieving the desired increase in bilateral trade.

Russian Prime Minister arrived here last evening on a two day visit.

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