India, Russia discuss conduct of atomic trade

New Delhi, Oct 20 : External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov today discussed the conduct of atomic trade and prospect of advancing bilateral cooperation in the field ahead of the maiden visit of President Dmitry Medvedev in December. They also dicussed construction of reactors by Russia in India.

"We discussed prospects for future bilateral cooperation in the field," Mukherjee told reporters here after 90 minutes talks with Lavrov.

Mukherjee did not elaborate but the discussions are understood to have taken into consideration the proposed construction of four additional nuclear reactors by Russia in Kudankulam in Tamil Nadu.

The proposal, mooted in January 2007, could not make forward movement because of absence of NSG waiver and India-IAEA safeguards agreement.

India finalised safeguards agreement with IAEA and got NSG clearance earlier this year.

During the talks, Mukherjee expressed gratitude to Russia for its support for India at the IAEA and NSG.

Hailing India's track record and responsible behaviour on the non-proliferation front, Lavrov welcomed the NSG waiver for the country.

ANI