India, Russia hold annual disarmament talks

NEW DELHI: India and Russia have held annual talks on disarmament and non-proliferation during which issues relating to nuclear energy, weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and terrorism were discussed extensively.

The deliberations came amid reports that Russia is trying to convince China to support India's entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).

Russia and the US have been strongly backing India's NSG bid and even reached out to many countries to support New Delhi's entry into the elite group.

"The consultations covered a broad spectrum of related issues on the international agenda including nuclear and WMD terrorism, nuclear energy," the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

Though majority of member countries have backed India's NSG membership bid, China has been blocking it on the grounds that New Delhi is not a signatory to the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty ( NPT).

Mikhail Ulyanov, Head of the Department of Non- Proliferation and Arms Control, of Russia's Foreign Ministry was here March 23-24 for the annual consultations on disarmament and non-proliferation.

The talks take place alternately in Delhi and Moscow.

Pankaj Sharma, Joint Secretary (Disarmament and International Security Affairs) in the Ministry of External Affairs led the Indian delegation.

It is not known whether India's NSG bid figured in the meeting.