Q 2. In your opinion, what are the main tasks and areas of the development of Russia-India relations? Which tasks are the most important for India?
Ans: Our multifaceted ties have gained enormous variety, depth and strength over the decades and are poised for further diversification. Pillars of our cooperation include defence, space, nuclear, S&T, trade & economy, tourism and culture. There is tremendous scope for greater engagement and growth, especially to make trade and economic cooperation reflect contemporary realities commensurate with the status of our over US$ 1 trillion size economies. Cooperation in hydrocarbons, science & technology, R&D, pharmaceuticals, fertilizers, diamonds, IT, coal, and steel are key focus areas. We need to create awareness of investment opportunities in both countries and each others' growing capabilities and latest achievements.
Q 3.Next year is the 50th anniversary our military-technical cooperation. How do you assess its importance and what are the main features and major areas of bilateral interaction in this sphere at present? What about delivery of aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov? What should we expect from further development of Russia-India cooperation in other fields next year?
Ans: Defence cooperation is progressing well and has for long been an important pillar of our special and privileged strategic partnership with Russia. Russia is a reliable partner and India's largest supplier of defence equipment. In recent years our defence ties have been radically transformed from a simple buyer-seller relationship to a dynamic one that involves not just purchase of equipment, but joint research, development, and production of advanced defence systems. A host of flagship projects testify to this fundamental transformation and provide evidence of a dynamic defence relationship, e.g., the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft project, the Multi-Role Transport Aircraft project, besides projects for the manufacture in India of Brahmos missiles, T-90 tanks and SU-30MKI fighters. We are sanguine that this trend would gain further momentum. Russia is India's largest partner in military-technical cooperation and vice versa, and there are good prospects for further cooperation in a long-term perspective.
We are satisfied with the pace of work for the upgrade and refit of INS Vikramaditya (ex Admiral Gorshkov), which was settled some time ago. Its delivery is expected as per the agreed schedule and will mark a major addition to India's naval capabilities.
Overall, we await visits to India by the Russian President in March 2012 for the BRICS Summit and in December 2012 for the Annual India-Russia Summit. Moreover, on April 13 next year we celebrate 65 years of India-Russia diplomatic ties. To commemorate it, we are drawing up an extensive calendar of academic and cultural activities, seminars, exhibitions and other events. In 2012, we will also host the "Festival of Russia in India" and the "Festival of Moscow in Delhi". Russia's modernization programme, accelerating economic reforms, and WTO membership open up new opportunities for trade and investment cooperation. We look forward to cooperating more closely with Russia at the WTO.
Moscow
31 December 2011
