Observing that India and Russia have crossed many milestones in cooperation, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday said he had had a very satisfying discussion with President Vladimir Putin on matters relating to civilian nuclear energy.
"I have said we have had extensive discussions in regard to cooperation in civilian nuclear power. All relevant issues have been taken up," Singh told reporters on board the special aircraft while returning from a four-day official visit to Russia.
He was replying to a question on supply of fuel to the Tarapur nuclear power plant.
Singh maintained that he had 'very satisfying discussions' with Putin on civilian nuclear energy, but did not elaborate on the question relating to the Tarapur plant.
"I underlined to the President (Putin) that the support we have received from Russia has been a source of strength and confidence and the special nature of this relationship is something we continue to value," he said.
Asked about Russia's investment interest in the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project, he said Moscow had shown interest as India had scarcity in hydrocarbons.
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"It helps if they come on board," the prime minister said, adding talks would have to be held in this regard among all the parties concerned.
To a question on trilateral military cooperation and joint exercises between India, Russia and China, he said there had been no specific proposal to that effect as yet. "We will cross the bridge when it comes."
India and Russia, he said, had crossed several milestones in the fields of defence, energy and security. "I want to make the point that India-Russia relationship is such that although this visit was a landmark, it is only one landmark in a long journey that the two countries will make together and which shall be of value and benefit to both," he said in a statement.
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