SPACE-RUSSIA 2LST

Perminov said the implementation of manned space
programme by India would take many more years.
"A lot has to be done to put in place ground
facilities before beginning manned missions from the Indian
soil," Perminov said.
According to earlier reports ISRO has sought
Russia's help in developing a spaceship lighter than the
"Soyuz", which could be adopted for launch aboard lighter
Indian space launch vehicles.
Any Russian involvement in helping India in
developing heavier space launch vehicles would be seen as
violation of Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) by
Moscow, like in case of cryogenic deal, which was scrapped in
1993 under the US pressure. PTI