At Their Kremlin Talks Leaders Of Russia And India Are Expected To Highlight Special Role Of ABM Treaty Of 1972

On Tuesday president of Russia Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister of India Atal Bihari Vajpayee will discuss in the Kremlin questions of strategic stability in the world. As deputy head of the Kremlin administration Sergei Prikhodko told RIA Novosti, Russia and India "will confirm their approach of principle to the problem of further reductions and limitations of arms, and will highlight the special role of the ABM Treaty of 1972." People in the Kremlin hold the view that "an effective settlement of issues related to preventing proliferation of mass destruction weapons and their delivery vehicles must be attained by political, diplomatic and other non-military methods." Russia and India will also speak in favour of space being free from weapons of any type. As RIA Novosti has learnt, on the results of the talks the President of Russia and the Indian Prime Minister will adopt a Joint Statement on questions of strategic stability. As they stress in the Kremlin, Vajpayee's visit is called upon to help further strengthen strategic partnership between Russia and India and many-sided bilateral cooperation. According to Prikhodko, close and constructive interaction with India "accords with the long-term purpose of the Russian policy - to shape a many-sided democratic and just world order ensuring strategic stability and security to all international community members". "Political relations between Russia and India are a serious aspect of both regional and world politics," the Kremlin representative emphasized.