Russia Favours Indo-US Nuclear Agreement At An Early Date

On the eve of Left-UPA panel meeting on the Indo-US nuclear deal, Russian Ambassador to India Mr.Vyacheslav Trubnikov gave a boost to Manmohan Singh government by coming out in support of the deal by terming the deal as ‘useful’ on 17^th June’08 in New Delhi. He said, “In my personal assessment, by and large the Indo-US nuclear deal is useful for India. India should sign the deal and the sooner is better than later.” He added that it would open the door to Indo-Russian co-operation in civil nuclear expansion.

He further  said  that  Moscow  was  bound  by international obligations  as a  member of  Nuclear  Suppliers  Group and expected India to  conclude  the safeguards  agreement with International  Atomic Energy  Agency to get a  waiver  from NSG. Once this is done, India  would be  able to participate in nuclear trade paving the way for further  Indo-Russian co-operation, he added. He  expected  India to  join the nuclear main   stream.  He  however  added,   "It was  for  India   to decide at what price it has to strike the deal.”