Gandhi Gets $1.15 Billion in Soviet Aid
Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi said today that he and Soviet leader Mikhail S. Gorbachev signed agreements providing India with $1.15 billion worth of credits for major industrial projects and establishing trade ties between the two countries until the end of the century.
Gandhi said at a news conference that the Soviet credit will be applied to Indian power, oil, coal and machine-building projects.
The agreements also provide for Soviet participation in Indian projects in the power, coal, oil, gas, metals and machine-building industries, as well as Indian involvement in projects in the Soviet Union and other countries, until the year 2000, he said.
Will Also Look to U.S.
Gandhi lauded Soviet-Indian economic and political relations but also said his government will continue to seek friendly ties with Washington and look to the United States for the most up-to-date technology.
Last week, India signed agreements with the United States to acquire advanced American non-military technology. Gandhi is to visit Washington next month.
Gandhi criticized U.S. research into the “Star Wars” missile defense system, as well as President Reagan’s trade embargo against Nicaragua.
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