Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will embark on a one-day visit to India during which the two countries will discuss the nuclear trade and construction of two nuclear reactors at Kudankulam.
During his visit which is starting from Monday, Lavrov will hold talks with his Indian counterpart Pranab Mukherjee over a wide range of bilateral and international issues.
He is also scheduled to call on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Finalisation of the agreement on the construction of four more VVER-1000 nuclear reactors in Kudankulam will be among the issues of Lavrov’s talks, first since the IAEA and NSG waivers and clearing of 123 Agreement by the US Congress on nuclear trade with India.
Diplomats here widely believe the agreement will be signed during Russian President Dmitry Medvedev’s India visit in early December.
According to Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Andrei Nesterenko, lifting of international curbs on civilian nuclear commerce would allow Russia and India to translate their existing agreements into practical ones and move ahead in deepening cooperation in nuclear sector to boost bilateral economic interaction.
Lavrov is also expected to discuss bilateral and multilateral efforts in tackling the current global financial crisis and creation of a new financial system reflecting the realities of a multi-polar world.