India, Russia to build 12 nuclear plants

INDIA: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh described on Friday as very fruitful a brief visit paid to New Delhi by his peer from the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin in which six agreements were inked.

The deals are aimed at consolidating the strategic alliance forged by both countries 10 years ago were signed during Putin’s barely 22-hour stay.

Ours is not only a unique relationship. Its significance has grown as time has gone by, said Singh in remarks to journalists at the end of Putin’s visit.

Agreements signed include the construction of at least 12 nuclear plants by Russia in India in the next few years.

The field of defense, a pilar in bilateral relations as Russia supplies 70 percent of weapons and military equipment available in India, also played a predominant role in the talks, with the parties cutting a deal for New Delhi to buy 26 MiG-29K planes from Moscow.

Both parties ratified their intention to increase current exchange worth $7 billion to $20 billion in ten years. During their meeting of little over two hours, Singh and Putin also discussed issues of regional and global interest, mainly Afghanistan and terrorism in the region.

New Delhi, Sunday, Prensa Latina