Stage set in Moscow for Sinha-Powell talks today

The External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha arrived here today for crucial talks with the US Secretary of State Colin Powell on Wednesday, ...

The External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha arrived here today for crucial talks with the US Secretary of State Colin Powell on Wednesday, before co-chairing the 9th session of the Indo-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission (IRIGC) for trade, economic, scientific, technological and cultural cooperation scheduled for May 15-16.

Sinha’s talks with Powell, close on the heels of visit to New Delhi and Islamabad by US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage, are expected to focus on situation in the region, taking into view the recent peace initiatives by India to Pakistan.

‘‘India and US have very common areas of interest in the region,’’ New Delhi’s ambassador to Moscow, Krishnan Raghunath told Indian journalists, referring to the upcoming talks between Sinha and Powell, which will be held at Grand Meriet hotel, in the city’s centre. ‘‘The two sides will exchange views on what is currently happening in the region, including India and Pakistan,’’ he said.

Story continues below this ad

During his four-day stay in Moscow, Sinha is scheduled to hold parleys with Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov, Deputy Prime Minister and in-charge of defence industry and arms exports Boris Alyoshin, Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin and Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov. The main aim of Sinha’s current visit to Russia is to co-chair the 9th session of the IRIGC, with his counterpart Ilya Klebanov, Minister for Industry, Science and Technology.

Raghunath said that the two sides will consider bilateral cooperation, concentrating on giving a push to increase the low-level annual trade turnover, which remains at $1.5 billion.

He pointed out that a joint task force has been set up to utilise the accumulated rupee-fund, especially in joint ventures in both the countries. ‘‘The details are to be worked out as the rupee-balance will be liquidated in the next two years,’’ Raghunath said. The two sides will sign a protocol at the end of the talks.

On May 16, Sinha will travel to St Petersburg to prepare for the visit of Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee to the city, on the occasion of its 300th anniversary celebrations on May 30-31.