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Swiss requested to expedite Bofors papers

India requested the Swiss government today to expedite delivery of the remaining papers related to the Bofors pay-off scandal into which the Central Bureau of Investigation is inquiring.

The request was made by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to Swiss President Flavio Cotti when they held official talks.

Vajpayee remarked that the government had been awaiting further papers relating the Bofors pay-offs after the last set was delivered in January 1997.

Official sources said Cotti promised to look into the matter but stressed that handing over of the papers to India was part of the judicial process.

Apart from the bilateral subjects, including Indo-Swiss economic co-operation, the two leaders exchanged views on the recent nuclear tests by India and the need for total elimination of nuclear weapons.

Vajpayee explained the rationale behind conducting the tests in the context of India's larger security interests.

Switzerland was one of the first countries to condemn the nuclear tests by India and Pakistan, but had also stressed the need for the nuclear powers to take steps towards nuclear disarmament.

Switzerland had also announced a five per cent cut in the developmental aid to India in the central projects in Bihar, Orissa and Andhra Pradesh.

However, Cotti decided to visit India, the first time ever by a Swiss president, accompanied by 10 top chief executive officers of Swiss industry. These include the heads of ABB, Nestle, the Federation Of Firms in the Watch Making Industry and two major financial companies.

Vajpayee and Cotti had a one-to-one meeting before going in for delegation talks lasting an hour, followed by a working lunch.

At the lunch, former prime minister I K Gujral and former finance minister Manmohan Singh were also present.

Later, Industry Minister Sikander Bakht and Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha called on Cotti.

The Swiss president met Vice-President Krishan Kant and later called on Congress President Sonia Gandhi.

In the evening, President K R Narayanan hosted a banquet for Cotti. In his welcome speech, Narayanan said India's ''unwavering commitment to nuclear disarmament and genuine non-proliferation has remained steadfast over the years and will continue to do so.''

Recalling that India was one of the first countries to call for a complete ban on nuclear tests, Narayanan said that while taking the minimum steps required for its security, India had voluntarily declared a moratorium on nuclear tests and expressed its willingness to negotiate a no first use agreement.

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