Moscow: Heralding a new chapter in their
"time-tested" partnership, India and Russia on Thursday agreed to
enhance the bilateral ties in spheres like trade, peaceful use
of nuclear energy and military-technical cooperation and
vowed to tackle the menace of terrorism jointly.
President Pratibha Patil, who is on a four-day state
visit here, held wide-ranging talks with her Russian
counterpart Dmitry Medvedev and both agreed to intensify the
strategic partnership between the two countries.
"Today we will add a new page" in the history of
relationship between the two countries, Medvedev said
welcoming Patil in the Green Room of the Kremlin palace.
Expressing satisfaction at the all-weather strategic
partnership, he said at the start of the delegation-level
talks with Patil: "Your visit demonstrates special strategic
relations of partnership between Russia and India, which are
not prone to conjuncture and change of political seasons."
Despite global slowdown, the bilateral trade volume has
increased, he said, adding that priorities in the cooperation
between the two countries would include expansion of ties in
the field of energy, high technology and knowledge-based
industry, metallurgy, especially in the continuation of
Kudankulam project and participation of ONGC in Sakhalin I.
Terming as "time-tested" the relationship between India
and Russia, Patil said her talks with the Russian leadership
were highly fruitful and held in a frank and friendly
atmosphere.
The two sides expressed satisfaction at the ongoing
efforts to achieve the bilateral trade target of USD ten
billion by next year, Patil said, adding that they agreed to
give a push to the existing levels of cooperation, given the
potential for economic cooperation.
The bilateral trade in 2007-08 was USD 3.41 billion,
highly favourable to Russia.
Both sides noted that there were ample opportunities for
further expansion of relations, especially in the fields of
space, energy, including hydrocarbons, and peaceful uses of
nuclear energy and military-technical cooperation, Patil said.
Energy sector is an important area in Indo-Russian
bilateral relations. ONGC-Videsh Limited has acquired 20 per
cent stake in the Sakhalin-I oil and gas project in the
Russian Federation and has invested about 2.8 billion dollars
in the project, one of the largest investments by India
abroad.
Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao, who briefed reporters on
the Patil-Medvedev meeting, said that India and Russia hoped
to wrap up the deal on the construction of four more reactors
at Kudankulam power plant.
Currently financial, technical and other aspects were
being worked out by the Department of Atomic Energy and its
Russian counterpart Rosatom after which a commercial deal
would be signed.
Replying to a question, Rao said there were many ongoing
defence projects and India was very appreciative of Russia`s
cooperation in the field of defence.
"It is a very steady and ongoing relationship with
Russia" in the field of defence, Rao said.
Asked whether the Gorshkov deal has failed, she said both
sides would like to reach a mutual agreement and talks were
going on. A delegation from India would be visiting Russia to
carry forward the talks.
On the issue of terrorism, Rao said both leaders felt the
necessity to strengthen cooperation in combating the menace.
She said the situation in Afghanistan also came up for
discussion and India highlighted the developmental partnership
it had with the war-torn nation.
India also expressed its concern over the terrorist
elements based in Pakistan and the need for Islamabad to act
decisively against them, she said.
Describing the bilateral parleys as "complete meeting of
minds", Rao said the two leaders attached great importance to
laying more focus in the field of investments, information
technology, region-to-region ties, education and exchange of
visits by Parliamentarians.
Both leaders also talked about cooperation in the field
of outer space and manned space launch, she said.
Later speaking at a reception in the honour of Patil, the
Russian President said "for India, Russia is not only a proven
friend but a reliable partner as well".
Terming India`s relationship with Russia as "unique,"
Patil said that Moscow is "our permanent friend in the
changing world".
Bureau Report
