JOIN USWind of change sweeps across Moscow, Delhi
With an aim to strengthen cooperation and facilitate exchange of expertise in 11 key areas, including culture, healthcare, education and transport management, the Delhi government and the government of Moscow signed a memorandum of understanding on Friday.
It is likely to facilitate intense partnership and cooperation between the respective governments of Delhi and Moscow for three years (2012-2015) in the spheres of road and transport infrastructure, water and sewage, security and emergency management, e-governance, healthcare, pharmaceuticals and IT.
During this course, both the parties will send delegation of experts with an aim to exchange experience and knowledge accumulated by them in various areas.
Minister in-charge of the International Economic Relations, Government of Moscow, Sergey Cheremin and minister for urban development Arvinder Singh signed the agreement.
Later, Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit presided over a meeting attended by a high-level parliamentary delegation from Russia and another delegation led by Delhi chief secretary P K Tripathi.
“Russia has been India’s closest friend and the two countries share close cultural ties. This agreement will pave way for a collaboration in many areas where both cities will benefit from each other’s expertise,” said Dikshit.
Solve important issues
Welcoming the agreement, Singh said it will help the two cities to address major issues related to urban development such as sewage management, transport management and most importantly in the area of affordable housing for urban poor where Moscow has extensive experience and expertise.
To promote economic and trade relations between Delhi and Moscow, a business forum was also organised by Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (DSIIDC) later in the day.
The forum was attended by Russian business and parliamentary delegation led by Cheremin wherein more than 60 businessmen from both the cities participated.
A three-day cultural celebration — Days of Moscow in Delhi — comprising a series of cultural, academic and business events will also take place in the Capital.