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. 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 two sides signed 16 agreements. One of the pacts was an agreement on manufacture of Kamov 226 helicopter in India, which, Modi said, was the first project for a major defence platform under “Make in India” programme.
With regard to nuclear energy, Modi said the pace of cooperation was increasing and progress was being made on 12 Russian reactors at two sites in India. 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 stage 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. “The sides welcomed progress in identifying the second site in India for additional six nuclear reactor,” said the joint statement.
Published 24 December 2015, 20:18 IST