News ContentPrime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and the new Chinese President Xi Jinpinge will hold bilateral meeting in Durban today, on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit. The meeting between the two leaders will reinforce the growing importance that both countries give to each other. President Xi has already struck a positive note with his warm words for Dr. Manmohan Singh, saying he looked forward to meeting him in Durban.

After taking over the Presidentship of China on March 14, Xi had unveiled a five-point formula for improving ties with India, proposing accommodation of each other's concerns and proper handling of differences. He had said that Peace and tranquility should be maintained and border tensions should not affect the overall development of bilateral ties.

Earlier, during his talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh said, the first nuclear reactor unit of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant in Tamil Nadu will become operational next month.

He also conveyed to President Putin that the third and fourth reactors of the project will also be operationalized in due course after securing internal approvals. The Kudamkulam nuclear plant is being implemented jointly by the Nuclear power corporation of India Limited and the premier Russian nuclear company Atomstroyexport.

Our correspondent Madan Kumar covering the Durban BRICS summit reports Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Russian President Vladimir Putin in a very cordial meeting reviewed the entire gamut of strategic relationship between the two countries.

The two leaders also discussed regional and international issues especially on mutual cooperation within the BRICS grouping to enhance trade activities.
CB