PM Manmohan Singh has said expanding Indo-Russian bilateral cooperation and consolidating coordination on regional and global issues was in the interest of India and that of global peace and prosperity.
Singh, who is set to embark on a three-day visit to the Russian capital to attend the Indo-Russian Summit, also said that he is "convinced that India-Russia consultation on global issues is more necessary today than ever before". "There is enormous mutual goodwill in our two countries for each other. Both countries recognise the significant mutual benefit we derive from working together. I will utilise my visit to further expand our bilateral cooperation and further consolidate our coordination on regional and global issues. This is in our national interest and in the interest of global peace and prosperity," he said in a pre-departure statement on Thursday. Noting that this years India-Russia Annual Summit was taking place against the backdrop of a complex international environment, Singh said he was "looking forward to an indepth exchange of views with the Russian leadership on the crisis facing the global economy and the political developments in our extended neighbourhood, including West Asia, Gulf and Afghanistan and the impact of all this on peace and stability in the world. "The perspectives of our countries on these developments are marked by a high degree of convergence," he said. During the visit, Singh will discuss with Russian President Medvedev ways to further enhance consultations in international forums like the United Nations Security Council, G 20, BRICS as well as the East Asia Summit which Russia has recently joined. "I am convinced that India-Russia consultation on global issues is more necessary today than ever before. Our bilateral relations with Russia are based on mutual trust, friendship and shared interests," he said, noting that bilateral ties encompass diverse sectors including nuclear energy, defence, space, science and technology, hydrocarbons, trade and investment and people-to-people exchanges. "I will discuss mechanisms to further expand our bilateral cooperation, particularly in the trade, economic and commercial fields," he said. The Prime Minister also said that he was looking forward to meeting Prime Minister Vladimir Putin during his visit. Observing that Putin has played a key role in development of "our Strategic Partnership, and has been the architect of our contemporary relationship," Singh said, "I will review with him the progress we have made in our relations since his visit to India in March 2010". The Prime Minister also said that Indian enjoy a special and privileged strategic partnership with Russia and the Summits have focused high level attention on follow-up to the decisions that are taken and on charting new vistas for cooperation. The contract for construction of two more reactors of Russian design at Kudankulam is unlikely to be signed during PM Manmohan Singh's visit to Moscow starting Thursday though negotiations are at an advanced stage. Singh is embarking on a three-day visit to the Russian Capital on Thursday to attend the 12th annual Indo-Russian Summit on Friday during which the two countries are expected to sign seven to nine agreements to expand cooperation in the fields of trade, defence and energy. Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai while briefing newsmen on Wednesday about Singh's visit discounted suggestions that protests by locals and environmentalists against the commissioning of the first and second reactors at Kudankulam in Turicorin district in Tamil Nadu were holding up the signing of the new deal. "Not right," he said when asked whether the protests were behind the delay in signing of the contract between Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and Atomstroyexport. The contract was widely expected to be signed during Singh's visit. Mathai however said negotiations in this regard were at an advanced staged but declined to set a time frame for finalising the contract. "Kudankulam(negotiations) are at an advanced stage. There are good prospects of taking it forward soon," he said. Mathai also said India was open for discussions to address concerns of countries over its civil liability rules for nuclear damages. The Foreign Secretary outlined India's stand when asked to comment on Russia's opposition to make the nuclear liability rules applicable to the first two reactors at Kudankulam and also for the planned third and fourth reactors. The commissioning of the first two reactors have been stalled following the protests. Singh will have a restricted meeting with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev before holding delegation-level talks at the Kremlin on Friday. Singh is also due to have a meeting with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. Replying to a question, Mathai said developments in Russia after the Duma elections will not have any bearing on the Prime Minister's visit and bilateral relations. "These are strictly their(Russia) internal affair," he said. The Duma elections have dented the power of Putin. To a question on Russia's proposal for making available an enrichment facility in their soil for reprocessing spent fuel from Indian nuclear plants, Mathai said these are all subject matter of discussions. The country's top diplomat also said that Russia has made it clear it will no way reverese its commitment to India's nuclear agenda. During his talks with Medvedev and Putin, the Prime Minister is expected to discuss bilateral cooperation in defence, space, atomic energy, hydrocarbons, and science and technology. Singh and Medvedev will also have a joint interaction with Indian and Russian CEOs. Singh is due to return home on Saturday evening. India and Russia have proposed a joint investment fund. A 'Joint Declaration' will also be issued reflecting the wide canvas of Indo-Russian and common world view. "There is a strong national consensus in India on having the closest of ties with Russia. And that is also what makes our relations with Russia 'special and privileged'," Mathai said.(DD-15.12) | 
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