India, Russia sign 16 pacts

Moscow: In a major push to strategic ties, India and Russia 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.
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.
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 ‘Make-in-India’ programme. “It is rightly with our most important defence partner,” Modi said.
With regard to nuclear energy, Modi said the pace of cooperation is increasing and progress is 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 staged for Unit III and IV.
In the atomic field, the two sides signed a significant agreement for “Localization of Manufacturing in India for Russian-Designed Nuclear Reactor Units” to enable participation of Indian firms under the ‘Make-in-India’ programme.
The pacts signed between the two sides also covered various other sectors like hydrocarbon exploration, railways, solar power, customs, space and easing of travel.
Describing India as a “great power” carrying out a balanced and responsible foreign policy, Putin said Russia would like to see India’s greater role in addressing global and regional issues.
“We believe that India is a great power that conducts a balanced and responsible foreign policy and is one of the most worthy candidates for taking the seat of a permanent member on the UN Security Council,” Putin said. PTI