NEW DELHI, 26 January 2007 — India and Russia began a new chapter in their time-tested relations by signing a number of agreements aimed at boosting cooperation in nuclear energy, oil and gas and defense sectors yesterday.
Talks between the visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh focused on bilateral and international issues. Nine agreements and memorandums of understanding (MOU) were signed soon after their meeting.
Putin will be the guest of honor at India’s Republic Day celebrations today, a reflection of the historically close ties between the two countries.
“Energy security is the most important of the emerging dimensions of our strategic partnership,” Manmohan told a joint news conference.
“We look forward to a long-term partnership with Russia in this vital field.” The deal signaled Moscow would not be left behind in the race to win lucrative nuclear contracts with India, a month after US President George W. Bush signed laws effectively ending a ban on civilian nuclear trade with India.
Two Russian reactors are already under construction in India, where rapid economic growth is driving a demand for additional supplies of energy.
Four more reactors will be built at the Kudankulam nuclear power station in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, according to a joint statement — provided the 45-member Nuclear Suppliers’ Group lifts its restrictions on India this year.
Russia and India also pledged to work together to build more Russian-designed nuclear plants at other sites in India. The two sides are also working closely to develop other sources of energy. “We are ready to brave new horizons in fuel energy cooperation,” Putin said. “Russian companies are ready to intensify and broaden cooperation in this area.” India’s Oil and Natural Gas Corp. Ltd and Russia’s state-run Rosneft signed a comprehensive deal yesterday for a range of joint energy projects from drilling to retailing, an ONGC official said.
The two companies are already partners in the Sakhalin-1 oil field and are exploring a joint bid for the Sakhalin-3 field as and when it is auctioned. Russia has also expressed an interest in helping build a pipeline to transport Iranian natural gas to India and Pakistan.
“Building on the long tradition of warm and friendly relations with Russia, we seek a comprehensive re-engagement that would impart a new momentum and carry our strategic partnership to new heights,” Manmohan said.
“We appreciate Russia’s support in lifting international restrictions on nuclear cooperation and assisting India in expansion of its nuclear energy program,” the prime minister said.
The two countries also signed agreements that would allow India access to a part of the Russian Global Navigation Satellite System, boost cooperation in joint satellite project and increase the exchange of information.
The joint statement issued after the Putin-Manmohan meeting said the two leaders expressed concern over the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan. “India and Russia will continue to participate in post-war recovery in Afghanistan and are interested in reemergence of that country as a peaceful, democratic, independent and prosperous state.”
Regarding Iran’s nuclear program, the statement said: “The two sides are convinced that an effective solution to the Iranian nuclear issue is best found through political and diplomatic efforts.”
Favoring implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1737, they agreed that it would facilitate negotiations for a long-term comprehensive agreement with Iran “based on mutual respect and establishment of international confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program.”
They called for “ensuring peace and security on the Korean Peninsula.” Supporting the Arab peace initiative, adopted in Beirut in 2002, they reaffirmed their “commitment to securing a comprehensive, lasting and just settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict on a firm international legal basis, i.e. relevant UN resolutions, the Madrid Principles and the road map.” On Iraq, they supported a “broad internal dialogue between all ethnic and religious groups and political forces of the country.”
“India and Russia believe that developments in Iraq indicate the need for collective international efforts aimed toward an early normalization of the situation in the country,” the statement said.
The statement also called for “expansion of cooperation within the China-Russia-India trilateral format,” which would contribute “to strengthening peace and stability in Asia and throughout the world.”
