India, Russia sign 16 pacts

Deals on military copters and Nuclear-plants, Putin backs UN bid In a major push to their strategic ties, India and Russia on Thursday decided to expand cooperation in various sectors as they signed 16 pacts, including on joint manufacture of 226 military helicopters and construction of 12 atomic plants with involvement of local companies in India.

After extensive talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Narendra Modi underlined the need for the world to unite against terrorism “without distinction and discrimination between terrorist groups and target countries”, an apparent reference to sources of the menace like Pakistan.

Sharing concern over terrorism, the two sides pressed for joint fight against the global menace “without selectivity and double standards”, said a joint statement issued after the talks between the two leaders.

Mr Putin conveyed Russia’s “strong support” to India’s bid for permanent membership of the UN Security Council, saying it is a “deserving and strong candidate that can bring an independent and responsible approach” within the world body.

The discussions covered a wide range of issues including terrorism, cooperation in the fields of defence, security and energy and ways to enhance trade and investment besides facilitating easier movement of people.

After the talks, the two sides signed 16 agreements. One of these was an agreement on manufacture of Kamov 226 helicopter in India, which, the Prime Minister, said is the first project for a major defence platform under the Make in India programme.

With regard to nuclear energy, Mr Modi said the pace of cooperation is increasing and progress is being made on 12 Russian reactors at two sites in India.

Mr Putin said Unit-II of Kudankulam atomic plant in Tamil Nadu, being built by Russia, will be commissioned within weeks and negotiations are at an advanced staged for Unit

III and IV. In the atomic field, the two sides signed a significant agreement for “Localisation of Manufacturing in India for Russian-Designed Nuclear Reactor Units” to enable participation of Indian firms under the Make in India programme.

Affirming that their cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy is a cornerstone of the Russia-India strategic partnership, the two leaders appreciated the progress made in the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project and agreed to expedite the implementation of ongoing and upcoming projects there.

“The sides welcomed progress in identifying the second site in India for additional six nuclear reactor units to be set up in cooperation with Russia,” said the joint statement, titled “Shared Trust, New Horizons”.

In the joint press statement with Mr Putin, Mr Modi said, “The pace of our cooperation in nuclear energy is increasing. We are making progress on our plans for 12 Russian nuclear reactors at two sites.

“The agreement today will increase Indian manufacturing content in these reactors. It supports my mission of Make in India. I thank President Putin for his support.”

With regard to the defence cooperation, the Prime Minister said the Inter-Governmental Agreement on manufacture of Kamov 226 helicopter in India is the first project for a major defence platform under the Make in India mission. “It is rightly with our most important defence partner,” he added.

“We have made progress on a number of other defence proposals. These would boost defence manufacturing in India and India’s defence readiness with next generation equipment,” Mr Modi said.

Summing up his talks with Mr Putin, he said, “we have laid the foundation of the future character of this strategic partnership.”

Hailing Mr Putin, Mr Modi said in a changing world, his leadership has kept the bilateral relations on a steady course of progress and growth. “As I look to the future, I see Russia as a significant partner in India’s economic transformation and in shaping a balanced, stable, inclusive and a multi-polar world,” he said.

The two sides expressed commitment to realise the target of $30 billion in 10 years set at the last annual summit, up from $10 billion, with Mr Modi saying “we are moving forward on the India-Eurasian Economic Union Free Trade Agreement”.

Mr Modi, who along with Mr Putin, addressed the top business leaders of the two countries before the press interaction, said private sector is also being encouraged to connect with each other more. “The agreements and the announcements today give me confidence that we will see huge increase in investments and trade in both directions,” he said. The joint statement said the two countries vowed to increase annual bilateral trade and investment.