India and Russia sign 30 pacts
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
New Delhi, Dec 21, IRNA -- India and Russia Tuesday signed 30 pacts in several key areas such as civil nuclear cooperation and defence, including development of Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) to augment country's military capabilities.
During their nearly two-hour long annual summit meeting which encompassed a whole range of crucial bilateral, regional and global matters, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev also took stock of the situation in Pakistan and Afghanistan which impacts on the security of both the countries.
Besides deciding to enhance cooperation in crucial spheres of military, energy sector, science and technology, space research and pharmaceuticals, the two sides agreed to step up efforts to achieve the target of bilateral trade of USD 20 billion by 2015.
Apart from 11 pacts, which were signed after the talks, 19 agreements, including those between private companies of both the countries were inked on the margins of the summit.
The key pacts include Preliminary Design Contract for FGFA envisaging joint design and development by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Russia's Sukhoi Design Bureau and Rosoboronexport, Framework Agreement on Cooperation in hydrocarbon sector and MoU for joint research and development in reactor technology and related fields for peaceful uses of atomic energy.
Other agreements pertained to simplification of visa procedure for certain categories, including for businessmen, enhancement of cooperation in oil and gas sector, MoU for cooperation in the pharmaceutical sector, MoU on combating irregular migration and agreement on cooperation in the field of emergency management, , pti reported.
'Our talks have been comprehensive and result-oriented. We have signed several important agreements covering a large number of sectors. This reflects our mutual desire to bring our cooperation in other areas at par with our traditionally strong cooperation in the defence and nuclear fields,' Singh said at a joint press interaction with Medvedev.
The two leaders also discussed construction of additional Russian designed nuclear reactors at Kudankulam, where two units are ready to be commissioned. While first unit will be commissioned by end of this month or early next month, the second unit will be commissioned by next year-end.
Recalling their Moscow declaration on International Terrorism of 2001, the two leaders agreed that there is no justification whatsoever for any act of terrorism.
'The sides agreed that all terrorist networks must be defeated. They called upon Pakistan to expeditiously bring all the perpetrators, authors and accomplices of the November 2008 Mumbai attacks to justice,' the joint statement, issued after the talks said.
Medvedev who arrived in India on a two-day visit early late last night also marked the tenth anniversary of the establishment of the strategic partnership between the two countries.
Talking to reporters after the meeting the Russian President said that Moscow wants to India to have a permanent seat in the UN Security Council if the decision to expand the organ is taken.
Elaborating their points in the joint press interaction the two leaders asserted that terrorists are criminals and those who hide terrorists, conceal their crimes are subject to punishment.
Earlier, External Affairs Minister, S. M. Krishna called on the visiting President on Tuesday. Later in the day, there will be calls on him by Leader of Opposition Mrs. Sushma Swaraj, the Vice-President of India, Hamid Ansari, Chairperson of UPA Mrs. Sonia Gandhi. In the evening Medvedev will call on his Indian counterpart, Mrs. Pratibha Devesingh Patil who would be hosting a banquet in his honour.
On Wednesday, 22nd December 2010, President Medvedev departs for Agra and then flies into Mumbai where he would visit Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Powai, and also the Film City. In the evening of Wednesday the he emplanes for Moscow.
Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh had paid a visit to Moscow for the tenth India-Russia Summit in December 2009. At his invitation, Prime Minister Putin had visited India in March this year.
India and Russia are both members of G20. Both the countries work closely bilaterally as well as through BRIC to push for reforms of the international financial system.
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Islamic Republic News Agency/IRNA NewsCode: 30136001
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