New Delhi, Nov 11: Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee left here this morning on a six-day three-nation tour of Russia, Tajikistan and Syria for holding discussions with the leaders of the three countries on further strengthening of cooperation in various fields. On the first leg of his tour, the Prime Minister will visit Russia for his annual summit meeting with President Vladimir Putin. In the evening he will have a quiet one-on-one with Putin at his presidential retreat. Discussions will centre on a number of topics, including increasing trade and investment, cooperation against terrorism, science and technology and space.

The summit meeting between the two leaders will focus on several issues, including the fight against international terrorism and also the role and importance of the UN in resolving various global crises. Discussions will also be held on Iraq, Afghanistan, Central Asia.

This is the second visit by the Prime Minister to Russia in about a year. He visited the country early this year to participate in the tercentenary celebrations of the St. Petersburg. This is also the fourth bilateral meeting between the two leaders this year.

The Prime Minister will visit Tajikistan on November 13-14 and have restricted delegation-level talks with President Emomali Sharifovich Rakhmanov. The two countries will sign several bilateral documents. This is the first visit by the Prime Minister to Tajikistan after that country became independent in 1991.

An agreement on cooperation against global terrorism and a protocol on protection of investment will be signed between the two countries. Vajpayee will unveil a statue of Mahatma Gandhi in dushanbe.

On the last leg of his tour, the Prime Minister will begin a state visit to Syria from November 14. The visit to Syria is considered significant because of Syria's location as a frontline nation with Israel and Iraq. India's point of view on relations with both these countries will be put forward.
The Prime Minister will hold talks with President Basher al-Assad on several important matters, including Iraq situation. Cooperation in science and technology, it, bio-technology, small scale industries etc will be discussed.


Vajpayee will also inaugurate a bio-technology centre in damascus.

This is the first VVIP visit to Syria after the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi visited the country in 1988.
Syria is also important for India because it holds influence in OIC and NAM.

Bureau Report