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Endangered · 11-18-2005, 10:55 AM

Pranab denies seeking cooperation from Russia on N-sub

Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee today denied that India has sought Moscow's cooperation for development of indigenous nuclear submarines during talks with his Russian counterpart Sergei Ivanov as reported in a section of the media.

"We discussed Amur class diesel-electric submarines, which Russia wants to sell India. I told them that if and when required it could take part in the tender to be invited by India, but for the time being we have opted for the French Scorpene submarines," Pranab Mukherjee said, backtracking on his earlier statement at a joint press conference with Ivanov.

"There was some misunderstanding in reporting. I did not discuss ATV. While talking about ADS, I had meant Admiral Gorshkov in my mind," Pranab told reporters before leaving for home today. ATV refers to Advance Technology Vessel, an indigenous project for the development of nuclear submarine. ADS is the Air Defence Ship project for development of aircraft carriers.

Yesterday at the press conference after the signing of the protocol of Indo- Russian Intergovernmental Commission, responding to a question whether Russia's cooperation in the thoroughly-guarded ATV and ADS was sought, Mukherjee had answered in affirmative. But late last night, Indian ambassador Kanwal Sibal strongly denied the report saying no nuclear submarines were discussed.

11-18-2005, 10:55 AM	#132 (permalink)
Endangered is a *Senior Contributor* Join Date: 08-13-05 Location: Bangalore, India Posts: 1,748	Pranab denies seeking cooperation from Russia on N-sub Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee today denied that India has sought Moscow's cooperation for development of indigenous nuclear submarines during talks with his Russian counterpart Sergei Ivanov as reported in a section of the media. "We discussed Amur class diesel-electric submarines, which Russia wants to sell India. I told them that if and when required it could take part in the tender to be invited by India, but for the time being we have opted for the French Scorpene submarines," Pranab Mukherjee said, backtracking on his earlier statement at a joint press conference with Ivanov. "There was some misunderstanding in reporting. I did not discuss ATV. While talking about ADS, I had meant Admiral Gorshkov in my mind," Pranab told reporters before leaving for home today. ATV refers to Advance Technology Vessel, an indigenous project for the development of nuclear submarine. ADS is the Air Defence Ship project for development of aircraft carriers. Yesterday at the press conference after the signing of the protocol of Indo- Russian Intergovernmental Commission, responding to a question whether Russia's cooperation in the thoroughly-guarded ATV and ADS was sought, Mukherjee had answered in affirmative. But late last night, Indian ambassador Kanwal Sibal strongly denied the report saying no nuclear submarines were discussed. __________________ Wild Wild Web Last edited by Endangered : 11-19-2005 at 01:01 AM.