Russian PM's two-day 'working visit' begins today

Russian Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov's two-day 'working visit' beginning tomorrow may be a climb-down from what was originally expected to be a state visit by President Vladimir Putin. It is likely to push up trade, business and cultural relations between the two countries.

Putin had canceled his visit due to his pre-occupation with the March Presidential elections in which he is hoping to be re-elected.

According to official sources, Zubkov is leading a top-level official delegation and a group of 100 business leaders. He is accompanied by economic development and trade minister Elvira Nabiullina and the head of Rosatom Nuclear Corporation Sergei Kiriyenko.

The Russian leader is scheduled to hold high-level talks on bilateral issues with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and meet President Pratibha Patil, Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Vice-President Hamid Ansari.

During the visit, India and Russia are expected to sign at least five formal agreements in the areas of civil aviation and telecommunication. According to reports, Russia's flagship air carrier Aeroflot is likely to sign a memorandum of understanding with Indian private carrier Kingfisher Airlines.

On its part, New Delhi is eager to raise the issue of recent ban by Russia on Indian plant products after a sesame consignment was found to be infested with pests.

Also during the official level talks between Singh and Zobkov, the Indian side is hoping to put an end to the ongoing tension between the two countries over the much delayed delivery of the aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov to the Indian Navy.

Russia had delayed the delivery of Groshkov and is seeking escalated price for it which India has so far refused to pay. Officials say that Singh and Zobkov's meeting is one last chance to cap this controversy.

The two prime ministers are also likely to discuss the possibilities of cooperation in civil-nuclear cooperation even though no formal agreements may be signed pending IAEA and NSG's clearance to India's new status as a non-NTP signatory nuclear power.

Zubkov would also participate in the two-day conference of the Russia-India trade and investment forum, where business leaders would explore possibilities of investments and trade in each other's countries. Russians are likely to seek Indian investments in a uranium enrichment plant in Siberia.

India and Russia are working towards increasing their current trade of $3 billion (with the Indian share of this business being $908 million) to $10 billion by 2010.

Zubkov would also open offices of Russia's VTB bank and investment group AFK Sistema in New Delhi. On Tuesday evening, Zubkov would herald the year-long cultural bonanza from Russia for India "" the Year of Russia "" at a gala concert in the historic Purana Qila Fort.

In his interview with Russian state news agency RIA Novosti, the Russian prime minister said the economic ties between the two nations would prove meaningless unless their people bonded with each other through cultural exchanges.

India is going to showcase its culture in Russia through a similar event next year.