Russia today said the protestsagainst the Kundakulum nuclear power plant were "sponsored"and the NGOs from outside were "feeding" the organisationswhich are spearheading the stir.
"I think these (protests) are sponsored. They work insuch a way that when money ends they stop and when they getanother portion of money they resume their protests,"Alexander M Kadakin, Russian Ambassador to India, said here onthe protest against the nuclear project in Tamil Nadu which isbeing assisted by his country.
"Yes, there are NGOs from outside who are feeding theseprotest organisation. India is a democratic country, peopleare free to protest if they feel some danger is coming," headded.
Stressing that the Russian nuclear reactors, which wouldwere being installed at Kundakulum nuclear plant, were safe,Kadakin said "it is the safest nuclear unit in the world whichhas been recognised by specialists and scientists in the Westand the East."
Russia is helping India in setting up 9200 MW Kudankulamnuclear power plant in Tamil Nadu's Tirunelveli district.
Construction has been delayed due to anti-nuclearprotests by the locals and People's Movement Against NuclearEnergy.
Asked about Indo-Russia defence deals, the RussianAmbassador said that contrary to other countries "we giveIndia our best technology".
He said "we are working on nuclear submarine, we are alsoworking on fifth generation aircraft."
On India-Russia relations, he said they were better thanever before.
Russian embassy today hosted a function to confer RussianForeign Ministry's sign of honour to veteran India diplomatsfor their contribution to international cooperation.
Three former diplomats M K Rasgotra, Chinmaya Gharekhanand Ronen Sen were honoured today on Russian Diplomatist Day.
The Russian Diplomatist Day is celebrated following aPresidential decree in 2002 to commemorate the founding of theRussian Diplomatic service in 1549.