The President of the Russian Federation, H.E. Mr. Vladimir V. Putin, paid an official visit to the Republic of India on January 25-26, 2007 at the invitation of the Prime Minister of the Republic of India Dr. Manmohan Singh. President Vladimir Putin is the first Russian Head of State who is participating as the Chief Guest at the celebrations on the occasion of the Republic Day. Besides a high level official delegation, President Putin was accompanied by a group of top Russian businessmen and industrialists representing diverse areas.
2. During his stay in New Delhi, President Vladimir Putin met the President of
India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and the Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan
Singh. The Chairperson of the United Progressive Alliance, Mrs. Sonia Gandhi
called on President Vladimir Putin. President Vladimir Putin also participated
in a business meeting attended by high level representatives from the trade and
industrial circles of India and Russia.
3. The Prime Minister of India and the President of the Russian Federation recalled with satisfaction their meeting in July 2006 on the sidelines of the G-8 Summit in St. Petersburg where the Russian Presidency had invited India as an outreach country. The two leaders discussed a broad range of issues relating to bilateral cooperation and exchanged views on important regional and international issues of mutual interest and concern. The talks were held in the traditionally warm and cordial atmosphere that is characteristic of the longstanding India-Russia friendship. They noted with particular interest that this visit took place in the year when the two sides were actively preparing to jointly commemorate the 60th anniversary (on April 13, 2007) of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and the Russian Federation. They expressed satisfaction that, despite many momentous developments affecting global geopolitical situation over the last several decades, India and Russia have consistently remained close and friendly partners, with a continued commitment at the highest political level to further consolidate their ties. The following documents were signed at the conclusion of the talks between the Prime Minister of India and the President of the Russian Federation. - Programme of Cultural Exchanges between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the Russian Federation for the Years 2007-2009;
Protocol between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the Russian Federation on holding “Year of Russia in India” in the year 2008 and “Year of India in Russia” in the Year 2009;
- Agreement between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government
of the Russian Federation on the access of the Indian Party to navigation
signals of the Russian Global Navigation Satellite System GLONASS for peaceful
purposes;
- Agreement between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government
of the Russian Federation on access of the Indian Party to a part of the
Russian Global Navigation Satellite System GLONASS radio frequency spectrum;
- Agreement between the Indian Space Research Organization and the Federal
Space Agency on cooperation in the joint satellite project ‘YOUTHSAT’;
- Memorandum of Intent between the Department of Atomic Energy, the Government
of the Republic of India and Federal Atomic Energy Agency, the Russian
Federation on development of cooperation in the construction of additional
nuclear power plant units at Kudankulam site as well as in the construction of
Russian design nuclear power plants at new sites in the Republic of India;
Also the following were adopted:
- Joint Statement by the Prime Minister of the Republic of India and the
President of the Russian Federation on cooperation in the field of peaceful
uses of atomic energy;
- Plan of major events to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the establishment
of diplomatic relations between the Republic of India and the Russian
Federation (April 13, 2007).
4. The Sides stress that durable, friendly and mutually beneficial relations
between the two countries are based on deep mutual confidence and
understanding. The strategic partnership between India and Russia has served
not only the long-term national interests of both countries but has also
effectively contributed to stability and security in Asia and the world in
general. The two countries hold identical or similar views on most
international issues. The Prime Minister of India and the President of the
Russian Federation highly value the successful practice of holding annual
summits that have played a key role in consistently adding greater strategic
content to the wide-ranging cooperation between the two countries. These
Summits encourage intensive contacts between India and Russia at all levels
with a view to further intensifying bilateral cooperation.
5. During the talks, the two Sides reviewed the implementation of the decisions taken during the India-Russia Summit in December 2005. While expressing satisfaction at the ongoing multifaceted cooperation, the Sides support its further development, particularly in priority spheres such as high technologies, telecommunications, outer space, metallurgy, energy, nuclear power and military and technical cooperation.
6. The Sides reaffirm their intention to intensify efforts to further develop
and diversify their trade and economic cooperation. Noting that the
Indian-Russian Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific,
Technological and Cultural Cooperation provides an important mechanism for the
development of trade and economic ties, the Sides stress the need to pay
particular attention to the further promotion of bilateral trade and
investment, including in energy, technology and knowledge-intensive economic
sectors.
7. The Sides express satisfaction over the signing in February 2006 of the
India-Russia Protocol on completion of negotiations on Russia’s accession to
the WTO. Particular importance is attached to the setting up of a Joint Study
Group (JSG) in 2006 to work out practical recommendations aimed at effectively
tapping the opportunities available in both countries to substantially raise
their bilateral trade and economic cooperation. As an immediate step, the Sides
support early finalization of a result-oriented programme of action by the JSG
to increase their bilateral trade to US $ 10 billion by 2010.
8. The Sides advocate every possible effort to expand mutually beneficial contacts between the business communities of the two countries. They welcome the initiatives taken in this direction by the industrial and business associations of India and Russia, aimed at strengthening the important role played by the Joint Business Council. The Sides also agree to take steps to remove the existing barriers impeding the promotion of bilateral trade.
9. The Sides appreciate the establishment of the Indo-Russian Forum for Trade
and Investment, co-chaired by the Minister of Commerce and Industry of India
and the Minister of Economic Development and Trade of the Russian Federation.
They are optimistic that its first meeting in India in February 2007 at which a
large number of top businessmen from both sides are preparing to participate
will yield positive results.
10. Noting the vital role played by energy in
economic growth, the Sides attach particular importance to energy security
issues. They endorse the concept of ‘energy security’ envisaging an acceptable
balance between security of demand and security of supply. In view of their
corresponding resources, needs, capabilities and potential, the Sides agree to
further enhance direct dialogue between their oil and gas companies aimed at
concluding concrete and mutually beneficial commercial agreements for joint
work in all segments of oil and gas cooperation in India, Russia and third
countries. The arrival of the first shipment of oil to India from Sakhalin-I in
early December 2006 as well as the signing on January 25, 2007 of an MoU
between ONGC and Rosneft oil company setting up two joint Working Groups - one
each for upstream and downstream activities - demonstrate the viability of
future India-Russia cooperation in the entire hydrocarbon value chain. The
Sides also expressed satisfaction at the progress in the ongoing construction
of two nuclear power plants in Kudankulam (India) with Russian participation.
11. The Sides note with satisfaction that the progressive expansion of their
traditionally important cooperation in the field of peaceful uses of outer
space is based on deep mutual trust and high capabilities of the two countries
in this sphere. In this context, they particularly welcome the signing of
additional bilateral agreements during the present visit to jointly implement
wide-ranging cooperation in the Russian Global Navigation Satellite System
GLONASS. They also express satisfaction at the signing of a bilateral document
to jointly develop and launch a Youth Satellite for educational purposes.
12. Military-technical cooperation between India
and Russia has traditionally remained a major pillar of the bilateral strategic
partnership. The Sides note with satisfaction that mutually beneficial
interaction in the field of defence has steadily progressed from a buyer-seller
format to also include joint research and development, manufacturing and
marketing, regular service to service interaction and joint exercises. As a
leading example of their shared potential in high technological collaboration,
the India-Russia joint venture to manufacture Brahmos missile, which is
expanding in scope, has led the way to further such joint projects. The Sides
note with satisfaction the in-principle decision to jointly develop a new
Multi-Role Transport Aircraft.
13. India and Russia, while recognizing vast possibilities offered by rapid
development and mass use of information and communication technologies, systems
and utilities, including internet, express their concern that along with the
gains, new threats of use of information technologies have emerged, which are
incompatible with the goals of ensuring international stability and security
both in civil and military spheres. The Sides express their readiness to
continue bilateral India-Russia dialogue and intensify joint efforts directed
at strengthening national and international information security, including
combating criminal and terrorist activities.
14. The Sides recall with satisfaction their wide-ranging bilateral cooperation in the field of science and technology that has been successfully and jointly steered and conducted in the framework of the Integrated Long Term Programme (ILTP). They affirm to jointly commemorate the 20th anniversary (on July 3, 2007) of the establishment of the ILTP. As a major initiative, the Sides welcome the decision to set up an India-Russia Technology Centre in Moscow to facilitate and channelize commercial /industrial applications of new jointly developed technologies. The Sides recognize that this new facet to S&T cooperation would also provide a stimulant effect to the overall scope of joint work. The Signing of the relevant Joint Work Document would enable the Centre to begin concrete work.
15. The Sides have agreed to continue work on the North-South international
transport corridor project, in the interests of further development of trade
and economic cooperation between India and Russia.
16. Cultural cooperation and people to people contacts have traditionally played an important role in promoting greater understanding and closer friendship between India and Russia. In this context, the Sides welcome the signing of the bilateral Cultural Exchange Programme and the Protocol to celebrate 2008 as the “Year of Russia in India” and 2009 as the “Year of India in Russia”. The Sides appreciate ongoing joint efforts aimed at development of partnership relations between institutions of the two countries in the fields of culture, Indian and Russian studies and languages. They agree to consider new mechanisms, including financial, to accelerate this trend through greater interaction between Indian and Russian scholars.
17. The Sides will work towards the establishment of a multipolar world order based on the principles of the rule of law, sovereign equality, territorial integrity and non-interference in internal affairs of States. Activities aimed at strengthening a central coordinating role of the United Nations in maintaining peace and security, and at increasing the efficiency and authority of the UN, form important elements of India-Russia cooperation at the international level. India and Russia stress the need to implement the process of UN reform, so as to reflect contemporary realities. In this context, the Russian Federation reiterates once again that it regards India as an influential and major member of the international community. The Russian Federation reaffirms its support to India as a deserving and strong candidate for the permanent membership in an expanded UN Security Council.
18. India and Russia strongly condemn terrorism in all its forms and
manifestations. Both Sides reaffirm that terrorism is one of the gravest
threats to international peace and security, and that there can be no
justification for any act of terrorism, irrespective of motivations, wherever
and by whosoever committed. They are also convinced that terrorism cannot and
should not be associated with any nationality, religious, cultural or ethnic
group. The Sides affirm that bilateral cooperation in counter-terrorism is an
important dimension of their strategic partnership. They agree to consolidate
joint efforts in suppressing financing of international terrorism and fighting
illicit drug trafficking.
19. The Sides reiterate their intention to continue comprehensive long-term international cooperation to combat terrorism and to address other new challenges and threats, acting on the basis of international law under the UN auspices as well as within other relevant international organizations of which India and Russia are members. They oppose double standards in combating this phenomenon. They will cooperate to implement the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and to ensure an early entry into force of the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism. Both Sides affirm their strong interest in promptly reaching an agreement on the draft Comprehensive Convention against International Terrorism submitted by India.
20. The Sides note with concern the risk posed
by the spread of terrorist ideologies and express their determination to
counter this threat basing these efforts on UN SC resolution 1624, including
through enhancing, in every possible way, dialogue among civilizations and
cultures.
21. The Sides are interested in strengthening bilateral and multilateral
interaction in Central Asia, which would contribute to enhanced stability and
security in the region, including through closer and mutually beneficial
cooperation with individual countries in the region based on shared interests
and mutual respect. India and Russia advocate the development of practical
cooperation among all partner countries of the Shanghai Cooperation
Organization.
22. The Sides are concerned about the continuing deterioration of the situation
in Afghanistan and the growing terrorist threat posed by the Taliban and other
extremist forces. India and Russia will continue to participate in the post-war
recovery in Afghanistan and are interested in strengthening its statehood and
in the reemergence of that country as a peaceful, democratic, independent and
prosperous state.
23. The Sides are convinced that an effective solution to the Iranian nuclear issue is best found through political and diplomatic efforts. In this regard the unanimous adoption of the UN Security Council Resolution 1737 is significant. It underscores the need for more active and transparent cooperation of Iran with the IAEA in order to resolve outstanding verification issues. They agreed that implementation of the Resolution should facilitate resumption of negotiations for a long-term comprehensive agreement which would allow for the development of relations and cooperation with Iran based on mutual respect and the establishment of international confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear programme.
24. The Sides call for ensuring peace and security on the Korean Peninsula,
maintaining it free from nuclear weapons and addressing the nuclear problem
through the six-party talks based on the Joint Statement of September 19, 2005.
25. The Sides reaffirm their commitment to securing a comprehensive, lasting and just settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict on a firm international legal basis, i.e. relevant UNSC resolutions, the Madrid Principles and the Road Map. They also support the Arab Peace Initiative, adopted in Beirut in 2002. They condemn violence by all sides and call for negotiated solutions. They advocate the active support of the international community, the Quartet and regional players for efforts aimed at normalizing the situation in West Asia and Middle East, and resuming dialogue on all tracks; the Palestinian, the Lebanese and the Syrian, for comprehensive and durable peace in the region.
26. The Sides express concern over the continuing deterioration of the
situation in Iraq. They believe that a return to peace, stability and progress
in Iraq can only be achieved through reconciliation and a broad internal
dialogue between all ethnic and religious groups and political forces of the
country. India and Russia believe that the developments in Iraq indicate the
need for collective international efforts aimed towards an early normalization
of the situation in the country.
27. The Sides call for expansion of cooperation within the China-Russia-India trilateral format. The first trilateral summit-level meeting, which took place in July 2006 in the outreach format of the G8 events in St. Petersburg, gave a fresh impetus to enhancing multifaceted interaction among the three states. The trilateral interaction promotes the development of mutually beneficial economic cooperation among India, Russia and China, enhances international accord in the field of countering new challenges and threats, especially in the fight against terrorism, and contributes to strengthening peace and stability in Asia and throughout the world.
28. The Sides reaffirm their strong commitment to strengthening their relations
in every possible way, and express their conviction that the strategic
partnership contributes to the development of mutually beneficial and
comprehensive bilateral cooperation, and serves the cause of peace, security,
stability and sustainable development at the regional and global levels.
29. The President of the Russian Federation invited the Prime Minister of the Republic of India to visit Russia at a mutually convenient time for the next annual Summit. The invitation was gladly accepted.
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