NEW DELHI — Russian Prime Minister Victor Zubkov’s visit to India, marked by the opening of the “Year of Russia” here in addition to enhancing Indo-Russian trade and economic relations, has reaffirmed the two countries’ strategic and defense ties. The latter stance is marked by Russia having reaffirmed its commitment to build additional nuclear reactors in Tamil Nadu under an agreement for which negotiations have been completed.
Addressing the media yesterday after a 90-minute meeting with Zubkov, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said: “We have finalized negotiation in regard to reaching agreement on building additional nuclear power plants in India.”
Zubkov reaffirmed Russia’s commitment to build nuclear plants in Kudankulam. Russia will, however, have to wait a waiver from the Nuclear Supplier Group (NSG. The agreement, which was to have been signed in November last year during Manmohan Singh’s visit to Russia, was put of because the NSG-waiver could not be secured.
Highlighting the significance of Zubkov’s visit taking place within three months of his Russia visit, Manmohan Singh said: “Such high-level exchanges between India and Russia reflect the time-tested nature of the close and special ties that exist between our two countries.”
During their discussions, they “agreed to redouble” their “efforts to tap the full potential” of their economies, Manmohan Singh said. They agreed to diversify their trade basket and expand cooperation in sectors such as minerals, diamonds, transport and infrastructure, investment and services, and high technology. “For this we will put into operation a joint task force to implement recommendations to increase bilateral trade to $10 billion by 2010 and consider a comprehensive economic cooperation agreement,” Manmohan said.
Zubkov said two-way trade last year grew by 30 percent, touching the $5 billion mark. “If the speed remains the same, I am confident the $10 billion mark will be achieved.”
With there being “vast potential for mutually beneficial cooperation in the area of hydrocarbons,” Manmohan Singh said: “I expressed hope that ongoing discussions between our oil and gas companies would result in finalization of joint projects in India, Russia and third countries.”
India and Russia also elaborated on their collaboration in fields of science and technology, space and civil nuclear cooperation. With Indo-Russian defense relations as “important pillar” of their strategic partnership, they reaffirmed their commitment to build upon this, Manmohan Singh said.
“Our talks today have reaffirmed our joint commitment to further strengthen Indo-Russian relations for the mutual benefit and prosperity of our two peoples, and for our region and the world,” the prime minister said.
They signed a memorandum on cooperation in law enforcement between the Indian Central Board of Excise and Customs and the Russian Federal Customs Service. This is expected to facilitate greater cooperation in countering customs violations including drug smuggling. They also signed a memorandum of cooperation in the field of archives, which would provide for cooperation between the National Archives of India and Russia’s Federal Archival Agency.
During the second meeting of the India-Russia trade forum, leading business representatives of both sides focused on the current state and prospects of bilateral trade and economic cooperation.
Zubkov opened the “Year of Russia” in the evening. This would be marked by around 150 events, including festivals of culture, national exhibitions, book fairs, conferences and seminars as well as sport and youth meeting. It would be followed by the Year of India in Russia in 2009.
Zubkov expressed hope that the Year of Russia “will help Indian citizens get a better idea of present-day Russia and its achievements” and “give an impetus to the Russian-Indian diverse strategic partnership.” Zubkov concludes his visit today after visiting Agra.
