NEW DELHI, India, May 22, Reuter: External Affairs Minister Narayan Dutt Tiwari today called the Soviet Union a “true and trusted friend” of India after two days of talks with a senior Soviet official.
Anatoly Dobrynin, Central Committee Secretary, met Tiwari and Defense Minister, K.C. Pant after delivering a warm letter from Kremlin leader Mikhail Gorbachev to Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
The Press Trust of India (PTI), said Tiwari told at a dinner for Dobrynin that “it is satisfying to note in the overall context that we are not alone. Our true and trusted friends stand beside us”.
Dobrynin’s visit is taking place when India is involved in a border dispute with China. India is also worried about Pakistani efforts to obtain U.S. AWACS and allegedly to develop nuclear weapons.
Tiwari and Dobrynin held talks regarding Pakistan’s military buildup, security in South Asia and bilateral issues.
Pant earlier told Dobrynin of India’s “serious concern” at Pakistan’s acquisition of sophisticated U.S. weapons and its alleged efforts to acquire nuclear weapons as well as AWACS.
PTI said Dobrynin assured Pant that Moscow, India’s main arms supplier, would continue to cooperated in defense supplies, production and technology.
Article extracted from this publication >> May 29, 1987
