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Tara Shankar Sahay in New Delhi
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Ilya Klebanov's arrival on Saturday is expected to enhance Indo-Russian cooperation in various aspects of bilateral trade and the vital issue of their joint endeavour to defeat the forces of global terrorism.
Klebanov, who looks after Russia's military-industrial complex and is co-chairman of the Indo-Russian inter-governmental joint commission, will discuss ways to step up cooperation in trade, economy, culture, science and technology, according to external affairs ministry spokeswoman Nirupama Rao.
She pointed out that Klebanov's arrival would "further strengthen the bonds of Indo-Russian cooperation".
"The Indo-Russian friendship encompassing a wide spectrum of issues is time-tested. Both India and Russia have been fighting the forces of global terrorism and Mr Klebanov's discussion with the Indian leadership will take into account mutual concerns in this context," she said.
Observers in the ministry see the Russian deputy prime minister's arrival as significant in view of the proposed visit of United States Secretary of State Colin Powell sometime next week.
"Although India values its joint efforts with the US in fighting global terrorism, it is aware of the ground realities in Jammu & Kashmir, long afflicted with cross-border terrorism," said a senior official.
He pointed out that the Americans had once again raked up the issue of Kashmir being the "most dangerous place in the world" and a "nuclear flash point", views that had earlier been rejected by New Delhi.
Reiterating that Jammu & Kashmir is an inalienable part of India, the official said the government would provide further evidence to General Powell of Pakistan's role in fostering terrorism in the state.
He said New Delhi would hear what Gen Powell had to say on the situation, but added that there was no question of "any compromise on our stand".
Russia is the world's largest producer of raw diamonds and India, the world's largest diamond processor. Klebanov had earlier stressed that the two countries could "marry their resources" for successful cooperation in the sector that has a potential of $500 million in annual turnover.
Klebanov will be meeting Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha, who co-chairs the Indo-Russian joint commission with him, External Affairs and Defence Minister Jaswant Singh, and National Security Adviser Brajesh Mishra.
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