(a) Whether India and Russia have signed a memorandum of understanding recently/ in the past for collaboration in the field of science and technology to further strengthen their respective management and planning structure;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the date from which the above MOU is likely to be effective?
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI OMAR ABDULLAH)
(a) Yes, Sir.
(b) & (c) The agreement on Integrated Long Term Programme (ILTP) on Indo-Russian Cooperation in Science and Technology was signed on October 3, 2000 for extension of the ILTP for the next ten years. This was signed by Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi, Hon`ble Minister for Science and Technology, Government of India, and H.E. Mr. Ilya Klebanov, First Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation. This is effective from October 3, 2000 for ten years.
A Memorandum of Understanding with the Novosibirsk Region of the Russian Federation was signed on May 14, 2001 by Shri B.S.Rawat, Hon`ble Minister for State Science and Technology, Government of India and H.E. Mr. Victor Tolonski, Governor of the Novosibirsk Region of the Russian Federation. This MoU is effective from May 14, 2001.
A Memorandum of Understanding with the Republic of Bashkortostan was signed on May 18, 2001 by Dr. Y.P.Kumar, Adviser, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India and Mrs. Rosa Bukanova, Chairperson, State Committee for Science, Higher and Secondary Professional Education, Republic of Bashkortostan, Russian Federation. This is effective from May 18, 2001.
However, these MOUs do not provide for strengthening of management and planning structure.