Russia backs India`s entry into UNSC

New Delhi, Dec 20 (PTI) Russia on Monday backed India's
aspiration for permanent membership of expanded UN Security
Council.
"...ten years ago, the Russian Federation openly,
publicly declared that there should be reform of Security
Council of the UN. We are confident that India should become
member of the security council and we have not changed our
position," Russian Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov said
here at a function organised by CII and Ficci.
Other permanent members of the Security Council -- the
US, Britain and France -- have also supported India's entry
into the powerful world body. However, China, another
permanent member of the UNSC, has been guarded on this.
India, which is a founding member of the UN, will have a
two-year stint in the UNSC as a non-permanent member from
January 2011.
Talking about civil nuclear cooperation with India,
Ivanov said it is one of the most promising areas of bilateral
relations, especially taking into account the new status
acquired by India in 2008 when its nuclear isolation ended.
"In short and long term, we consider India as one of the
main customers ordering all equipment and technology in
peaceful uses of nuclear energy," he said.
He said Russia has managed to develop a high profile in
the Indian market by constructing two nuclear reactors at
Kudankulam in Tamil Nadu.
"We plan to finish one plant in the near future and in
the same time we hope to start construction of the second
one," the Russian minister said.
In the Civil Aviation field, he said Russia could offer
not only Russian aviation equipment "that ranks highly in the
international market" but could also take part in the joint
development of a civil version of multi-purpose transport
aircraft.