New Delhi: 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 said at video conference with businessmen from
Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Bangalore.
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.
’More cooperation in banking sector’
"Indian banks are working in Russia and Russian banks are
working in India. The Indian and Russian banks are working out
a legal document, a legal foundation to enhance cooperation,"
he said, adding both the governments, he added, will support
the process to work in each other countries.
Commercial Bank of India, a joint venture between State
Bank of India and Canara Bank and ICICI Bank have presence in
Russia, while Russia`s VTB Bank has a branch in Mumbai.
Putin also said there is a need to increase cooperation
in areas of high technology as "it will have positive impact
on trade and economic relations between our two countries".
Putin is accompanied by a high-powered delegation
comprising several ministers and senior officials. A business
delegation is also accompanying him.
The two countries have set a target to increase their USD
5.42 billion bilateral trade to USD 20 billion by 2015.
-PTI
