Moscow, Dec.16 (ANI): Describing Russia as a tried and tested partner in the development of India's nuclear energy programme, visiting Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, said on Friday that both countries are committed to ensuring the highest levels of nuclear safety.
Delivering an opening statement after bilateral talks between the Indian and Russian delegations, Dr. Singh said India welcomes the advocacy of nuclear safety by Russia at the international level.
Stating that both Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and he had concluded a very extensive round of discussions which were held in an extremely warm, constructive and friendly spirit, Dr. Singh said that progress in bilateral relations had been reviewed, as also a review of regional and global issues of concern to both nations.
"Our special and privileged strategic partnership has not just withstood the test of time. It has helped shape a balanced and inclusive world order, and it has contributed to the rapid growth of both our economies. We reviewed the progress in the areas of civil nuclear energy, defence, space, oil and natural gas, science and technology, trade and investment, education and culture. A number of agreements have been signed in these areas," Dr. Singh said.
"The two sides have concluded negotiations and agreed on the terms and conditions for the Russian credit for Units 3 and 4 of the Kudankulam nuclear power project. We look forward to moving ahead with the Roadmap for cooperation in the nuclear energy sector which we signed in 2010," he added.
On defence cooperation between the two countries, Dr. Singh said it "has reached a qualitatively new level, marked by joint design and development, as well as co-production."
He added: "We are satisfied at the progress of the major projects."
He further said that New Delhi and Moscow have reiterated their intention to enhance the scale of bilateral trade and investment relations.
"The current trade volume of nine billion U.S. dollars is far below the potential of our two economies. We will continue our focus on sectors such as oil and gas, telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, fertilizers, mining, science and technology and innovation," Dr. Singh said.
He also said that he was happy that the Indo-Russian Science and Technology Centre had been inaugurated in Moscow.
Emphasizing that India-Russia relations have a global significance, Dr. Singh said: "We have been consulting closely in international forums, including the United Nations Security Council and BRICS."
He also announced that he had invited President Medvedev. to New Delhi to attend the next BRICS Summit in March 2012.
Dr. Singh also said that both Russia and India share similar views on threats to international security from terrorism, piracy and drug trafficking.
On Afghanistan's reconstruction and nation building efforts, he said that both New Delhi and Moscow have similar aims and objectives. He added that the leaderships of both countries were firm that Afghanistan has the ability to decide its own future without external interference.
"We reviewed the significant developments that are taking place in West Asia and North Africa. We have agreed to keep in close touch on the developments in these regions. We both agree on the need for the European Union to take urgent steps to address the Eurozone debt crisis, and restore market confidence. India deeply values its close friendship and cooperation with Russia. We are committed to further deepening and strengthening it, and I believe we are on the right track," Dr. Singh concluded. (ANI)
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