MOSCOW, 10 May 2005 — Russia and India yesterday decided to strengthen their strategic partnership by expanding cooperation in the civilian use of nuclear energy and begin work on framing a comprehensive pact on economic ties. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who met President Vladimir Putin here on the sidelines of the Victory Day celebrations, said his government planned to soon pass legislation that would tighten export controls and safeguards for India’s nuclear facilities — a move clearly aimed at laying the ground for enhancing civilian nuclear cooperation.
The meeting, which was scheduled to last 30 minutes, went on for 45 minutes.
Putin also accepted Manmohan Singh’s suggestion that the two sides should set up a joint study group that would prepare a report on a comprehensive economic cooperation agreement between them.
The two leaders also agreed to expand cooperation in high-tech areas and exploration of space, Indian officials said.
Putin was “positive” about supporting planned investments in Russia’s oil and gas sector by Indian companies like ONGC Videsh and Gail, they said.
India’s National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan described the talks between the two leaders, held at the Kremlin, as “warm and cordial” and “far more productive than anticipated”.
“While there are many guests in Moscow, there is only one India,” a reflection of the traditionally close ties the two countries have enjoyed, Narayanan quoted Putin as having said at the meeting. The Indian prime minister was among a select few of the 56 world leaders attending the Victory Day parade with whom Putin held bilateral meetings.
Referring to their cooperation in the energy sector, Manmohan Singh informed Putin that the Indian Cabinet had already cleared the Weapons of Mass Destruction and Their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities) Bill 2005, which will shortly be introduced in Parliament.
The bill, when passed, will bring Indian laws in consonance with global regulations against nuclear proliferation and lay the ground for assuaging concerns expressed by the Nuclear Suppliers Group, of which Russia is a member. India has shown interest in acquiring more nuclear reactors from Russia, which has supplied two reactors for the Koodankulam project.
“(With the passage of the bill), the issues that existed previously would no longer exist in a month’s time,” said Narayanan. “Nuclear fuel supplies to Tarapur are already in the pipeline.” Manmohan Singh expressed appreciation for Russia’s participation in the construction of India’s Koodankulam nuclear power project and the supply of nuclear fuel for the reactors at Tarapur, Narayanan said.
Putin said he would focus on expanding civilian nuclear cooperation as soon as the Victory Day festivities ended, Narayanan added. The Russian president, however, noted that bilateral economic relations did not mirror the sweep of India-Russia strategic ties. Indian Ambassador Kanwal Sibal said the joint study group would make recommendations on a comprehensive trade pact.
Similar groups set up by India had provided crucial inputs for signing trade pacts with China, Japan, Singapore and Sri Lanka, he said. “The studies pinpointed areas where decisions need to be made,” Sibal pointed out. The two leaders also reviewed their wide-ranging cooperation in defense and discussed President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s visit to Russia later this month.
Manmohan Singh indicated he would visit Moscow in November for an annual summit with the Russian president.
Cooperation in the fight against terrorism also figured in the talks, the Indian officials said.
