India, Russia ink crucial nuclear, defence agreements

Moscow: Russian president Dmitry Medvedev and visiting Indian prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh signed an agreement Monday to cooperate in the peaceful use of nuclear technology and also inked three agreements related to defence. For Dr Singh, the summit meet comes hot on the heels of a similar summit in Washington with US president Barack Obama.

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh being received by the President of the Russian Federation, Mr. Dmitry Anatolyevich Medvedev

Though no details were immediately available, it is being surmised that the nuclear deal could significantly widen the scope of atomic fuel and technology exports from Russia to India.

Perhaps reflecting a determined attempt by both sides to inject enthusiasm in a relationship that, at best, has been lukewarm for too long a period, the Russian president hosted a private dinner last night for Dr Singh and his wife Gursharan Kaur at his countryside residence in Barvikha outside Moscow. This was an honour so far accorded only to US president Barack Obama.

Over dinner, Medvedev and Singh held informal discussions on a wide range of issues including nuclear cooperation and conventional energy.

The informal dinner after arrival on Sunday preceded the formal summit on Monday. Dr Singh also meets Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin later in the day.

It may be surmised that the likely reason that details were not released could have been the pending meeting with Putin – the real power behind the throne. It may have been felt prudent to hold onto details and release them only after Dr Singh's meet with Putin was concluded so that appearances were maintained and Putin's status as Russia's political determinant was maintained.