Putin arrives in India to cement several pacts
The Associated Press, Reuters, Agence France-Presse Saturday, December 4, 2004
NEW DELHI President Vladimir Putin of Russia arrived Friday to hold talks on expanding trade and cooperation in defense, energy and space with India, a longtime ally of the Soviet Union during the cold war.
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The two countries are expected to make a joint declaration and sign several deals, including agreements on exploring peaceful uses of outer space, easier visa rules and India's inclusion in the Russia-promoted global satellite navigation system, an Indian official said.
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During the three-day visit, Putin is also expected to push for support for Russia's entry into the World Trade Organization.
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"We on both sides have chalked out a comprehensive agenda for the talks," an Indian Foreign Ministry official said before Putin's arrival with government officials and representatives of Russian armament firms.
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Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the ex-prime minister who headed a Hindu nationalist coalition, had drawn India closer to Washington and built strong defense ties with Israel; under him, India was slowly moving away from its dependence on Moscow for arms supplies. Putin was said to be hoping to counter these shifts during talks with Indian leaders.
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Indeed, Putin began his visit with some pointed criticism of the United States. "We are alarmed by a difficult and dramatic situation in Iraq," Putin told The Hindu in written responses to questions. "This is the threat Russia repeatedly warned the U.S. and their allies about before action was taken against the Hussein regime."..cont'd
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