Joint Statement furthering the India-Russia Strategic Partnership to meet the Challenges of a Changing World
The
Prime Minister of the Republic of India H.E. Dr Manmohan Singh paid an official
visit to the Russian Federation from 15-17 December 2011 at the invitation of
the President of the Russian Federation H.E. Dmitry Medvedev.
H.E. Dr Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of the Republic of India, held
talks with H.E. Dmitry Medvedev, President of
the Russian Federation, and H.E. Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister of the Russian
Federation.
2. During the talks, the sides
appreciated the advancement and further enhancement of the special and
privileged strategic partnership between India and Russia. The sides noted that
intense dialogue and regular high-level meetings that had taken place since the
annual Summit in December 2010 helped to meet the challenges of the rapidly
changing global situation and to promote close coordination of joint efforts in
the international arena and also contributed to the continued implementation of
large-scale trade, economic, investment, defence,
scientific and technical projects, humanitarian and cultural exchanges, and
people-to-people level contacts in the spirit of the traditional friendship
between the two nations.
3. The sides noted with satisfaction that
the entry into force of the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of
India and the Government of the Russian Federation on Mutual Simplification of
Travel Documents for Certain Categories of Nationals of the two countries would
promote broader business and scientific cooperation, boost professional,
student and other exchanges between India and Russia.
4. The sides decided to commemorate the
65th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between India and
Russia in 2012 in both the countries in a fitting manner.
Enhancing
bilateral trade, investments and innovative cooperation
5. The sides noted the fruitful work
carried out by the India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Trade,
Economic, Scientific, Technical and Cultural Cooperation which held its XVII
session in Moscow on November 18, 2011. Decisions adopted by the
Intergovernmental Commission and aimed at ensuring dynamic growth of bilateral
economic ties focused on innovative and high-technology components, as well as
investment projects that would contribute to the modernization and growth of
both the economies. India welcomed Russia’s impending entry into the WTO. The
sides decided to jointly study the possibility of a Comprehensive Economic
Cooperation Agreement between India and the Belarus-Kazakhstan-Russia Custom
Union. The sides decided to actively exchange business missions in various
fields of cooperation and to work out details
on industrial modernization opportunities in India. They decided to explore the
setting up of a joint investment fund and to promote greater cooperation
between the regions of the two countries. The sides expressed satisfaction that
several joint projects in the Hydrocarbon, Steel, Mining, Automobile,
Fertilizer and Pharmaceutical sectors are currently being pursued.
Energy
Cooperation
6. The sides emphasized that cooperation
in the energy sector had become one of the important pillars of the
India-Russia Strategic Partnership. They reiterated their commitment to further
long term joint collaboration in the civilian nuclear energy sector, as well as
in the hydrocarbon sector.
7. The sides reiterated their commitment
to implement their plans for a long term partnership in the field of peaceful
nuclear energy as envisaged in the Agreement between the Government of the
Republic of India and the Government of the Russian Federation on Cooperation
in the Use of Atomic Energy for Peaceful Purposes and the Road Map for strengthening
large-scale cooperation between the Government of the Republic of India and the
Government of the Russian Federation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy
which were concluded on March 12, 2010.
8. The sides noted with satisfaction the
successful promotion of cooperation in the development of nuclear energy for
peaceful purposes and reaffirmed their commitment to the highest standards of
safety of nuclear technologies. The sides recognized the competence and rich
experience of Russian organizations in design and technical assistance and of
Indian organizations in the construction of nuclear power plants and their
technical expertise. The sides looked forward to the early commissioning of the
first two units at Kudankulam.
9. As
regards construction of Units 3 & 4 at the Kudankulam site, as envisaged in
the “Inter-Governmental
Agreement on Cooperation in the Construction of Additional Nuclear Plants Units
at the Kudankulum site as well as in the Construction
of Russian Design Nuclear Power Plants at New Sites in the Republic of India” of December 5, 2008, the sides noted
with satisfaction that the discussions on the text of the Protocol for grant of
State Credit by the Russian Federation to the Republic of India had been
finalized and that negotiations on the techno-commercial offer on the
construction of Units 3 and 4 were in an advanced stage. The sides reiterated
their commitment to the agreements reached previously on the construction of
Russian design nuclear power plants at new sites in the Republic of India.
10. The sides reiterated their commitment
to deepening cooperation in the hydrocarbon sector, pursuant to the Framework
Agreement for enhanced cooperation in oil and gas between the Republic of India
and the Russian Federation that was signed on December 21, 2010. The Indian
side reiterated its interest in equity participation through ONGC-OVL in new
projects in Russia.
Space
research
11. The sides commended the successful
launch, by India, of the jointly built YouthSat for
space science studies; and expressed satisfaction on the progress in
implementation of the joint lunar exploration project. The sides agreed to
continue cooperation in the space sector in the fields of satellite navigation
and manned missions. The sides expressed mutual interest in using the Russian
global navigation satellite system GLONASS and looked forward to furthering
their cooperation in this field, including through the joint production of
satellite navigation equipment and services for civilian users.
Military-Technical
cooperation
12. The sides welcomed the outcome of the
eleventh meeting of the India-Russia Inter Governmental Commission on
Military-Technical Cooperation in addressing issues of mutual concern. The
sides took note of the progress made in important joint defence
projects such as the refitment of aircraft carrier
INS Vikramaditya (Admiral Gorshkov),
joint development and production of Multi-Role Transport Aircraft, Fifth
Generation Fighter Aircraft and licensed production of various Russian origin defence equipment and armaments in India.
Scientific
and technological cooperation
13. The sides noted with satisfaction that
the major mechanism of interaction between India and Russia in the field of
science and technology was the Integrated Long-Term Program (ILTP) for
cooperation in the areas of science, technology and innovations for the period
up to 2020 that is unique by its scale and diversity. The sides noted with
satisfaction that the Moscow office of the India-Russia Science &
Technology Centre (IRSTC) was inaugurated and that the New Delhi office would
also be inaugurated shortly. They observed that the Centre would work in the
very important area of commercialization of technologies. The sides agreed to support
technology intensive programmes in areas such as
bio-medical technology, nanotechnology, deep-ocean techniques and technologies,
and information & communication technologies.
The
sides encouraged the ongoing dialogue on technology intensive cooperation in
areas of technology solutions for fly ash utilization.
Education
14. The sides noted the exchange of
delegations of experts to hold discussions on a new intergovernmental Agreement
on mutual recognition and equivalence of educational documents and degrees
including medical documents and degrees. The
sides agreed to continue their constructive discussions on the issue and to
promote educational exchanges between the two countries.
Cultural
and humanitarian exchanges
15. The sides noted the deep and rich
cultural heritage of both the peoples and centuries-old bonds of friendship
between them. The sides commended the impact of the Festival of Indian Culture
in Russia held in Moscow, St Petersburg and Kazan in September 2011 under the Cultural
Exchange Programme for 2010- 2012 between the
Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of India and the Ministry of
Culture of the Russian Federation that was signed on
December 7, 2009. A festival of Russian Culture in India is scheduled for 2012.
December 7, 2009. A festival of Russian Culture in India is scheduled for 2012.
Coordination
at the United Nations
16. As an important element of their
Strategic Partnership, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to work together
to strengthen the central coordinating role of the United Nations in
international affairs as well as the crucial role of its Security Council in
the maintenance of international peace and security. In this context, they
reiterated their agreement to further strengthen their cooperation on issues
related to the reform of the UN and its Security Council and stressed that the
reform of the UN Security Council should be carried out in a manner that makes
this body more representative and effective in dealing with both present and
emerging challenges. The Russian Federation expressed strong support to India
for a permanent seat in an expanded UN Security Council. The two sides also
expressed satisfaction with their cooperation in the UN Security Council since
January 1, 2011, when India joined the Council as a non-permanent member, and
agreed to take this cooperation forward.
International
financial and economic architecture
17. The sides expressed concern over
negative trends in the global economy. They noted
that the financial and economic situation in the Euro zone was a source of
particular concern. The sides
welcomed the decisions of the Cannes Summit of the G-20, particularly, the
Action Plan for steady, sustainable and balanced growth of the global economy. The sides emphasized that all
countries needed to implement the Plan in an active and coordinated manner.
18. The sides identified successful
completion of the IMF reform under the terms and conditions agreed in the
framework of the G-20 as a key element of the general reform of the
international financial architecture.
Situation
in the Middle East and North Africa
19. In the context of the situation in the
Middle East and North Africa, the sides reaffirmed their commitment to the
principles of: searching the way to overcome crises in the region in compliance
with law, exclusively through peaceful means, avoiding violence and outside
intervention, through broad,
inclusive national dialogue
on democratic reforms, taking into account the legitimate rights and
aspirations of the peoples of the region.
20. They agreed that the fundamental
transformation taking place in the states of the Middle East and North Africa
should not be used as a pretext to delay resolution of lasting conflicts, but
rather as an incentive to settle them. They spoke in favour
of achieving comprehensive, just and final settlement of the Arab-Israel
conflict on the basis of universally recognized international legal framework
including the relevant UN resolutions, the Madrid principles and the Arab Peace
Initiative. The sides support an early resumption of the
Palestinian-Israeli negotiations aiming at the establishment of an independent,
viable and territorially unified
Palestinian State within the borders based on the lines of 1967, with
negotiated mutually
agreed territorial
exchanges and East Jerusalem as its capital as well as joint efforts of the
Middle East Quartet of international mediators. They called upon for early
restoration of Palestinian unity. A common All-Palestinian position based on
PLO principles and the Arab Peace Initiative would contribute to progress
towards a Palestine-Israeli settlement, as also peace and security for all the
countries and peoples of the region.
Security
and cooperation in the region of Asia and the Indian and Pacific Oceans
21. The sides reiterated their support to
the creation of a transparent, open, comprehensive, and balanced architecture
of security and cooperation in the region based on the recognized principles of
international law as well as respect for the legitimate interests of all
states. They emphasized their commitment to the principle of indivisibility of
security, unacceptability of attempts to enhance their own security to the
detriment of other states` security, inadmissibility of preservation and
creation of new dividing lines. The sides acknowledged the necessity of
addressing both traditional and new security threats - terrorism, extremism,
WMD proliferation, illicit drug trafficking, organized crime and maritime
piracy. They expressed readiness to work closely within the framework of the
East Asia Summit, which they regard as a leaders-led forum for dialogue on
broad strategic, political and economic issues of common interest and concern
with the aim of promoting peace, stability and economic prosperity in East
Asia.
22. The sides agreed that the Shanghai
Cooperation Organization (SCO) had become an important factor for regional
security and cooperation. Russia welcomed India`s intention to join the
organization as a full-fledged member and expressed the belief that its participation
would significantly increase the political weight of the SCO and give new
quality and dimension to cooperation within its framework. Russia stated that
it stood for joint efforts with other SCO members to accelerate the process of
India`s full membership of the organization.
23. The sides noted that there were
already several examples of successful regional cooperation formats operating
in Asia and Indian and Pacific Ocean region, including the interaction between
Russia, India and China (RIC). The importance of this format in fostering
regional dialogue and cooperation was reaffirmed in the Joint Declaration of
the 10th RIC Ministerial Meeting held on November 15, 2010 in Wuhan.
Development
of BRICS Cooperation
24. The sides attached importance to
strengthening cooperation among BRICS countries. They welcomed the growing role
of BRICS in international
political and economic life. The sides noted with satisfaction the progress
achieved within the BRICS
framework on cooperation in finance, trade, science
and technology, agriculture and healthcare. Both sides reaffirmed their desire
to jointly contribute to further development of cooperation within BRICS for
the benefit of peoples of participating states.
The
sides expressed confidence that the forthcoming BRICS Summit in 2012 to be chaired by India would be an
important step towards strengthening the role of the grouping in the reform of
global governance and towards further deepening intra-BRICS cooperation.
Disarmament
and non-proliferation
25. India and the Russian Federation, as
responsible states, possessing advanced nuclear technologies, share the
objective of preventive proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their
means of delivery, including preventing their possible acquisition by terrorist
groups. Both sides agreed on the need for all states possessing nuclear weapons
to accelerate concrete progress on the steps leading to global nuclear
disarmament in a way that promotes international stability, peace and undiminished
and increased security for all.
26. Both sides expressed interest in
strengthening multilateral export control regimes as an important component of
the global non-proliferation regime. In this regard, the Russian side
reiterated readiness to assist and promote a discussion and positive decision
in the NSG on India’s full membership in the NSG, and welcomed India’s
intention to seek full membership. India underscored its determination to
actively contribute to international efforts aimed at strengthening nuclear
non-proliferation regime. The Russian Federation also took into consideration
India’s interest in full membership in MTCR and the Wassenaar
Arrangement.
27. While recognizing the inherent right
of states to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, India and the Russian
Federation stressed the need for all states to comply with their respective
obligations on non-proliferation. The sides support the central role of the
IAEA and its safeguards system in the promotion of peaceful uses of nuclear
energy, in accordance with its statute. The sides intend to support
international efforts aimed at promoting peaceful uses of nuclear energy as
part of a proliferation-resistant architecture of international cooperation,
based on strict implementation of non-proliferation obligations. As supplier
states, the sides support multilateral approaches to the nuclear fuel cycle at
the IAEA.
Combating
Terrorism
28. The sides recalled the bilateral
Moscow Declaration between India and the Russian Federation on International
Terrorism signed on November 6, 2001 in Moscow. They strongly condemned the
existence of safe havens and sanctuaries for terrorism, and reiterated that
States that aid, abet or shelter terrorists were as guilty of acts of terrorism
as their actual perpetrators.
29. Both sides reaffirmed the need for all
states to combine efforts to vanquish terrorism. They agreed that there was no
justification whatsoever for any act of terrorism, and that India and Russia
being pluralistic states were especially vulnerable to acts of terrorism which
are attacks against the values and freedoms, enshrined in their societies. Both
sides reaffirmed that international terrorism is a threat to peace and
security, a grave violation of human rights and a crime against humanity. They
reaffirmed the central role of the United Nations in the combat against
international terrorism and in this context called for an early adoption of the
UN’s draft Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism.
Combating
Illicit Drug Trafficking
30. The sides emphasized the importance of
joint bilateral and multilateral efforts in the fight against illicit drug
trafficking which poses a growing threat to international peace and stability,
taking into account the fact that this criminal business had become one of the
main financial source of international terrorism. The sides confirmed their
intention to closely interact in preparation for the Third Ministerial
Conference of the Paris Pact initiative to be held in Vienna on February 16,
2012.
Iran`s
Nuclear Energy Programme
31. India and the Russian Federation expressed concern
over the situation emerging around Iran’s nuclear programme.
Both sides support a comprehensive and long-term settlement of the situation
through exclusively political and diplomatic means by promoting dialogue. The sides noted in this context that
unilateral sanctions could be counter-productive. They recognized Iran’s right to
develop research, produce and use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes in
conformity with its international obligations. India and the Russian Federation
urged Iran to comply with the provisions of the relevant UN Security Council
Resolutions and extend full cooperation to the IAEA.
Afghanistan
32. The sides expressed their readiness to
continue promoting the establishment of Afghanistan as a peaceful, democratic
and independent state, free from terrorism, outside interference and
drug-related crimes, with a sustainable economy. They expressed concern over
escalation of extremist activity throughout the territory of the country,
including previously relatively peaceful provinces, drug production growth, and
unresolved socio-economic problems.
33. Supporting the transfer of
responsibility for the situation in the country to the National Security
Forces, the sides urge to intensify efforts to build up their capacity. The
sides believe that the international military presence in Afghanistan should be
linked to the security situation on the ground.
34. India and the Russian Federation
support the efforts taken by the Government of the Islamic Republic of
Afghanistan to establish a peaceful dialogue with the armed opposition,
provided that the process goes on under the Afghan leadership and that the
fighters meet the redlines enunciated by the international community: the
recognition of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan,
renunciation of violence and breaking with al-Qaeda and other terrorist
organizations. They consider it necessary to continue the UN Security Council
sanctions regime as an essential anti-terror tool.
35. The sides noted with satisfaction the
growing global understanding of the important role played by the Islamic
Republic of Afghanistan neighboring states, states and organizations of the
region, and urge to focus the efforts in the region on the development and
improvement of sound structures of regional cooperation, like the SCO and SAARC
amongst others. They expect that the international community in their efforts
in this regard will respect the decisions taken by the countries of the region
in the framework of these organizations.
36. The Prime Minister of the Republic of
India expressed his gratitude for the hospitality and cordial welcome during
his official visit to Moscow and extended an invitation to the President of the
Russian Federation to visit India. The invitation was accepted with pleasure.
Moscow
December 16, 2011.
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