Energy tops PM's agenda

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said that energy co-operation was high on his list of priorities during his current visit to Russia. Talking to newspersons on board Air-India Tanjore, Singh said that the co-operation between the two countries in the oil and gas sector had already begun with India taking a stake in Sakhalin I oil field.

"I will discuss with President Putin... how to enlarge this co-operation," he said. Singh is on a three-day visit to Russia.

Briefing journalists in New Delhi on Friday, Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran had said that India was keen on taking a stake in Sakhalin III as well. He also said that Russia was looking for an interest in the Iran-India and Turkmenistan-India gas pipelines.

When asked about the proposed gas grid connecting India, China and Russia, Singh said, "We are for regional and multi-regional co-operation to tackle the problem of energy scarcity. Therefore,

India would be in favour of all agreements to solve the problem of scarce energy resources."

Singh also said the issue of fuel for the Tarapore plant would come up in his discussions with President Putin. "Issues relating to energy scarcity will figure in our discussions. And it is quite possible we might touch upon the subject," he said.

When asked about the state of Indo-US nuclear collaboration, Singh said the progress was as expected. "Everything is moving as per schedule. There are two working groups "� one on their side led by Nicholas Burns and one on our side led by the foreign secretary. They have had their first meeting and will have a second meeting soon," he said

Replying to queries if the Indo-US nuclear deal fell through, would he turn to Russia for nuclear fuel, Singh said, "Nuclear energy is an ongoing item of co-operation between us. There is certainly scope to expand it further."

Talking about Russia's bid to enter the WTO, Singh said, "We have a few concerns about geographical indications. But these aren't very big obstacles. We hope to resolve these issues."

The prime minister said it was for the finance minister to answer questions on the recent stock market surge.

When asked if he would accept former external affairs minister Natwar Singh's resignation, Singh said, "If a person takes a decision voluntarily, in that situation we will consider what needs to be done."

Singh also said there could be an expansion of the Union Cabinet after the winter session of Parliament.

Talking about the Iran issue, Singh said, "We have been in discussions with all major parties. We are talking to the European Union, Russia and China. Our concern has been to find a problem to this solution and not let it go to the UN Security Council. We want to resolve it within the framework of the IAEA. And I am glad to say our strategy seems to be working."