Russia wants nuclear, arms deals with India
Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov told a gathering of Indian industrialists in Bangalore on January 22 that "we intend to expand our technical and economic cooperation in the field of nuclear-plant construction in India, as well as other spheres of peaceful employment of nuclear power, with consideration, of course, of international obligations of the two countries," news agencies reported. Ivanov said on January 23 that Russia will offer its MiG-35 aircraft for an Indian tender to supply 126 planes. President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to arrive in New Delhi on January 25, where he will be guest of honor at Republic Day celebrations on January 26 in the company of a large economic delegation. Putin told several Indian media outlets on January 23 that "we intend to help India directly in construction of atomic-energy facilities for peaceful use. On top of that, some of our companies are very much interested in large contracts for construction of new facilities. On various occasions we provided India with nuclear fuel. And we will help in settling her problems in international affairs with the proviso that Russia will abide by international obligations." Putin noted that his "country has done a great deal for the development of the Indian nuclear-energy industry" over the years. He argued that Russia wants to be a country that is an "equal among equals on the international scene, rather than a superpower." Putin added that "when there is talk these days that Russia seeks that [superpower] status, I see only one thing in that -- a desire to undermine trust in Russia, to use Russia to spread fear, and foster the image of an enemy." The state-run daily newspaper "Rossiiskaya gazeta" on January 23 described India as one of Russia's best arms customers, noting that India and China together account for about 70 percent of Moscow's weapons sales abroad. PM // Copyright (c) 2005. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. RFE/RL
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