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Vajpayee-Putin summit today

By Our Diplomatic Correspondent

The Russian President, Vladimir Putin, receives the Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, at his Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow on Tuesday. — AP

MOSCOW NOV. 11. The Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, said his summit meeting with the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, on Wednesday would review and build on the progress achieved in different elements of the Indo-Russian strategic partnership.

In a statement on his three-nation foreign tour, Mr. Vajpayee, who reached Moscow this evening, said: "My discussions with President Putin and other representatives of the Russian leadership will also cover major global and regional political and economic developments.

"A nearly 100-strong Indian business delegation will be in Moscow during my visit. I hope they will establish useful contacts with Russian business and industry, so that our trade and investment relations can [be] put on a firm footing even after the Rupee-Rouble arrangement ceases to operate."

Keeping up the personal tone of diplomacy, Mr. Putin hosted a private dinner for Mr. Vajpayee tonight. It may be recalled that the Prime Minister was seated at the head of the table during the dinner hosted by Mr. Putin at St. Petersburg in May.

Already, the National Security Adviser, Brajesh Mishra, who arrived in Moscow two days ago, has held meetings with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Rushailo.

The External Affairs Minister, Yashwant Sinha, who landed in Moscow along with the Prime Minister, held talks with the Russian Foreign Minister, Igor Ivanov, this evening.

According to well-placed diplomatic sources, the two sides are close to an agreement on concluding contracts relating to the purchase of the aircraft carrier, Admiral Gorshkov. They said that the Russian Defence Minister, Sergei Ivanov, was expected in New Delhi towards the end the month and contracts relating to the aircraft carrier may be signed at that time. India has already reached an agreement, in principle, with Russia to purchase the carrier.

Apart from a host of global and regional issues, Pakistan and cross-border terrorism are likely to figure in the talks between Mr. Putin and Mr. Vajpayee tomorrow.

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