India, Russia sign pact for two more units of N-plant
India and Russia on Thursday signed the much-awaited agreement on setting up of two more units of a nuclear power plant in Tamil Nadu and decided to give a “new direction” to the defence cooperation between the two “great powers”.
The two countries also decided to hold the first tri-Services exercises, named 'Indra-2017', this year and start joint manufacturing of frigates, adding on to the co-production of Kamov-226 military helicopters.
These decisions were taken at the wide-ranging talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin here which covered a range of issues, including terrorism and increasing trade and investment.
Addressing the media jointly with Putin after the talks, Modi said the relations between India and Russia have been unwavering, based on “mutual love, respect and strong trust”.
“From culture to security, our relations have been at par... We speak in one language,” he said.
Modi said the two leaders had decided to speed up the bilateral cooperation in all fields, for which an ‘Action Plan’ has been devised.
Noting that India and Russia were celebrating the 70th anniversary of their relations, Modi said there has been no impact on the ties in all these decades.
Putin described the talks as substantative and said the India-Russia “partnership is developing into strategic and priveleged one.”
A Joint Declaration issued after the talks said that “the Indian-Russian special and privileged strategic partnership is a unique relationship of mutual trust between two great powers.”
It said the relationship covers all areas of cooperation, including in the spheres of political relations, security, trade and economy, military and technical field, energy, scientific, cultural and humanitarian exchanges, and foreign policy. The relationship helps promote national interests of both countries, and contributes to the establishment of a more peaceful and just world order, the declaration said.
The two sides signed five agreements, which included one on setting up of Units 5 and 6 of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP) in Tamil Nadu with the Russian help.
Modi said the nuclear agreement, which was a major outcome of the summit meeting, will further strengthen the ties between the two countries.
The other pacts included a contract for a high-speed train service between Nagpur and Secunderabad, an MoU for export of precious stones and jewellery and a programme on cultural exchanges.
“We welcome the conclusion of the the General Framework Agreement and Credit protocol for Units 5 and 6 of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power plant,” said a ‘Vision Document’ issued after the talks.