Russia for early conclusion of Indo-U.S. civilian N-deal

New Delhi, Jun 18 (PTI) Keen to have civil nuclear
cooperation with India, Russia Tuesday came out in strong
support of the Indo-U.S. atomic deal, saying it is "useful"
for New Delhi and favoured early conclusion of the agreement.

"In my personal assessment, in principle, by-and-large
the Indo-U.S. nuclear deal is useful for India," Russian
Ambassador Vyacheslav Trubnikov told reporters here.

He said "sooner or later this deal will be signed,
probably with some modifications" as not only India and the
U.S. but the world is interested in it.

"India should sign the nuclear deal (with U.S.). The
sooner is better than later," he said, adding the agreement
would open doors for New Delhi for expanded cooperation in the
field.

Trubnikov, however, said it was for India to decide "at
what price it has to strike the deal".

His comments came amid the government's efforts to
conclude the steps involved in the nuclear deal in the face of
stiff resistance from Left allies.

The Left parties insist the deal will be a compromise of
India's strategic interests and independent foreign policy.

Asked about the expansion of Indo-Russian civil nuclear
cooperation, he said Moscow was bound by international
obligations and would like India to conclude the safeguards
agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency
(I.A.E.A.) and to get a waiver from the guidelines of the
Nuclear Suppliers Group (N.S.G.) to participate in nuclear
trade.

"We cannot violate international obligations as a N.S.G.
member. This is the very fact that the draft agreement between
India and Russia has been initialled but not signed," he said.

"We are bound by international obligations as also our
internal laws. We do not overstep."

Trubnikov said once India signs the safeguards agreement
with the I.A.E.A. and gets clearance from N.S.G. guidelines to
participate in nuclear commerce, Russia would also be able to
go ahead with its cooperation with New Delhi in the sector.

"Russia is the only country having presence in India in
the peaceful use of nuclear energy unlike France which also
has a similar agreement ready," he said.

He said Russia will be in a privileged position once
India joins the nuclear mainstream as "we already have
presence in the country".

On Iran, he said Moscow agrees that Tehran has the legal
right to have access to modern, peaceful uses of nuclear
technology but made it clear that Russia will not support any
attempt by the Persian nation to pursue a military programme.

Pointing out that even the I.A.E.A. chief Mohd ElBaradei
has said that Iran complies with its international
obligations, Trubnikov said, "No one has any kind of proof
that Iran is busy fulfilling some military programme."

Russia believes the Iran issue should be resolved through
diplomatic means and not by use of force.

"By and large, India has been sticking to the same
position. We do not differ much," Trubnikov said. PTI