Tuesday, March 14 2006 18:32 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Moscow: Russia will supply nuclear fuel for Tarapur reactor under a deal likely to be signed during the visit of Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov to New Delhi on March 16 and 17.

The United States and other key members of the 45-nation Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) have been informed by Moscow in advance about the deal which will involve the supply of 60 tonnes of fuel, highly-placed government sources said here today (Mar 14 2006).

In Washington, a State Department official confirmed that Russia had informed the US of its intention to supply fuel for Tarapur.

While critics in the US saw the move as further erosion of international rules governing nuclear proliferation, Russian sources said that like 2001, when Moscow last supplied 58 metric tonnes of fuel for Tarapur, this supply would be governed by safety guidelines within NSG.