Russian President And Indian Prime Minister To Discuss Complex Relations Between Delhi And Islamabad

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee are to discuss complex Indian-Pakistani relations which turned into an urgent global problem because of the two countries' nuclear weapon tests in 1998. According to RIA Novosti, the leaders will discuss this problem in connection with the events in Afghanistan. The Kremlin believes "they should not lead to the expansion of other sharp conflicts in the region." Moscow hopes any attempts "to seize the opportunity" for one's own purposes do not meet the interests of either India or Pakistan. So, the Kremlin calls on the sides "to be reserved" and supports "a direct dialogue" between India and Pakistan. Russia "is ready to participate in the implementation of any agreements to the extent which is meeting the interests of India and Pakistan," a top-level diplomatic source said.