Dhar having talks with officials in Moscow
MOSCOW, Sept, 24.-Topics of economic co-operation likely to be raised during Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s forthcoming visit to Moscow were covered in preliminary talks with Soviet authorities today by the advance party of Indian officials, says PTI.
Mr. D. P. Dhar, Chairman of the Policy Planning Committee in the Ministry of External Affairs, had meeting with Mr. Semen Skatchkov, head of the USSR State Committee for economic relations with foreign countries, at which three major points were discussed for furtherance of economic co-operation.
The first was joint efforts to identify newer items of Soviet consumer needs which Indian industry could fulfil. This was in extension of principles governing a recent contract under which India was to process Soviet cotton in its mills and manufacture cotton textiles to fulfil Soviet needs.
The cotton deal involving about Rs. 40 crores a year will immediately raise Indo-Soviet trade turnover by about 12 per cent and provide employment in India to 15,000 people, besides keeping textile cpacity in full gear. The Soviets, in their turn, are able to offset pressure on labour resources and at the same time maintain plan targets for yarn and textiles.
Secondly, it was agreed in principle that a joint team should investigate gaps in Indian Industrial technology which the Soviet Union was in a position to fill through the programme of technical and scientific assistance.
Thirdly, the idea was also advanced, which had previously been accepted and expressed in joint statements, of exploring of new avenues of industrial co-operation involving third countries.
Reference: Hindustan Standard 25.9.1971