India and Russia on Saturday inked 16 agreements including three mega defence deals worth Rs 43,000 crore for purchase of S-400 long-range air defence missile system and procuring four Admiral Grigorovich-class (Project 11356) guided-missile stealth frigates and setting up of a joint production facility for making Kamov helicopters. The bilateral summit between the two countries came to a close on Saturday. The joint agreement issued at the summit vowed to further strengthen India-Russia diplomatic ties which are now entering their 70th year as well as shared both the countries concerns on terrorism.
The decisions were taken during talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin that covered a wide range of areas including defence.
“The success of this Summit shines a spotlight on the abiding strength of India-Russia strategic partnership. It also highlights our strong convergence of views and positions on pressing international and regional issues. Russia’s clear stand on the need to combat terrorism mirrors our own,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said while speaking at the end of the session.
“We deeply appreciate Russia’s understanding and support of our actions to fight cross-border terrorism, that threatens our entire region.We both affirmed the need for zero tolerance in dealing with terrorists and their supporters,” Modi said.
Modi in his statement said that India and Russia shared views on international issues such as the situation in Afghanistan and turmoil in West Asia.
“We also agreed to work closely to respond to the challenges posed by the unsettled nature of the global economic and financial markets.Our close collaboration at the United Nations, BRICS, East Asia Summit, G-20, Shanghai Cooperation Organization makes our partnership truly global, both in its scope and coverage,” the Prime Minister said.
The agreements on manufacturing of Kamov 226T helicopters; constructions of frigates; and acquisition and building of other defence platforms are in synergy with India’s technology and security priorities were signed.
“We have also agreed to work on an annual military industrial conference that will allow stakeholders on both sides to institute and push collaboration. These projects are new chapters in a long history of strong and diverse defence partnership that both sides can take much pride in,” Modi said.
While in Goa Modi and Putin laid the foundation concrete for the third and fourth unit of the Kudankulam nuclear plant via videoconference.
The Prime Minister also elaborated how In last four months alone Indian companies have invested close to US Dollars 5.5 billion in Russia’s Oil and Gas sector and could see further expansion in view of the decision to undertake a joint study of a gas pipeline route between our two countries.
“A combination of robust civil nuclear cooperation, LNG sourcing, partnership in the Oil and Gas sector, and engagement in renewables can construct a promising ‘Energy Bridge’ between our two countries,” the Prime Minister said.
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We deeply appreciate Russia’s understanding and support of our actions to fight cross-border terrorism, that threatens our entire region
- Narendra Modi
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India & China to
hold 2nd round
of talks on NSG
* India and China will soon hold a dialogue on New Delhi''s bid for membership of the elite Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) in which it hopes “differences” will be narrowed down
* President Xi Jinping told Prime Minister Narendra Modi that a second round of dialouge on the issue of India's entry into the NSG, over which China has reservations, will be held soon
* The Chinese President's word on the issue came after the Prime Minister told him that India was looking forward to working with China on realising its membership of the NSG
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Goa could benefit as two
vow to enhance tourism
Goa could stand to benefit as India and Russia have agreed to celebrate 2018 as 'Year of Tourism between India and Russia'.
As part of the joint statement released by the Indian and Russian delegations, the two sides also welcomed the mutual visa on arrival facility for tourists between the countries.
“Realizing the immense potential for collaboration in tourism sector and with an aim to encourage closer cooperation between tourism agencies of the two countries, the Sides agreed to celebrate 2018 as 'Year of Tourism between India and Russia'.
“They (the two sides) encouraged further collaboration between Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of India and Federal Agency for Tourism of the Russian Federation in enhancing bilateral cooperation, including establishment of direct links and contacts between Indian and Russian tourist associations, organizations, enterprises and companies,” the joint statement reads.
Crucially for Goa, the two sides welcomed steps aimed at concluding the agreement to implement the decision to facilitate visa free entry, stay and exit of crew of aircraft of the designated aircraft companies as well as other aircraft companies performing charter and special flights in the respective territories of their countries on reciprocal basis.
“The Sides agreed to work towards further simplification and liberalization of visa arrangements, and promote group tourist travel to enhance people-to-people contacts,” the statement reads.
