Medvedev gives interview to Indian newspaper-High technology, energy and space exploration - these are the three spheres of cooperation, Dec 20, 2010

Medvedev gives interview to Indian newspaper

Tags: Russian-Indian relations, Commentary, Medvedev\'s interview to The Times of India, Politics

Podolskaya Nadezhda Dec 20, 2010 14:31 Moscow Time


Download Dmitry Medvedev. Photo: EPA


High technology, energy and space exploration - these are the three spheres of cooperation, which, according to President Dmitry Medvedev, have recently become the focus of attention for Moscow and New Delhi. The Russian leader gave an interview for The Times of India newspaper ahead of his visit that country and here are the main highlights of that conversation.

Economic, scientific and cultural interaction can be effectively developed in a stable atmosphere only. Therefore, present-day Russia and India are, above all, concerned with security in the southeastern regions of the Eurasian continent. In this respect, Afghanistan is considered to be the main source of instability, while terrorism and drug trafficking are presenting the two principal threats. Both Moscow and New Delhi possess all necessary tools to counter these threats, Dmitry Medvedev told journalists:

“Settlement in Afghanistan is high on the agenda of the India-Russia Joint Working Group on Combating International Terrorism and the Joint Coordination Group of Security Councils of the two countries. These bodies regularly exchange information on Afghanistan and discuss issues such as combating terrorist threats, illicit drug trafficking and money laundering. Anti-terrorist cooperation with New Delhi is advancing at international forums as well. We appreciate India’s support for Russia’s draft of the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism, which entered into force in July 2007.”

As for the economy, New Delhi’s attention should be turned to some of the projects being developed in the four-party format, between Russia, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Tajikistan. This format is an element of cooperation within the SCO, where India has observer status so far. One such project is the Central Asia-South Asia 1000 (CASA-1000) project that provides for the construction of electricity transmission lines from Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan to Afghanistan and Pakistan. According to President Medvedev, India and other Russian SCO partners can join in on the development of this network. Furthermore, is also Moscow considering its possible participation in building a gas pipeline connecting Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India (the TAPI project). The head of state is sure that “Russian companies operating in pipeline construction have the necessary expertise, logistical resources and highly skilled personnel to build this pipeline.” Moscow and New Delhi are also closely cooperating in the area of nuclear energy. Russia is involved in the construction of additional nuclear power plant units at the Kudankulam site and has plans for building new facilities on the Indian territory.

High-tech achievements of the two countries’ scientists are spreading to the area of space exploration as well. Among other things, cooperation on this issue includes plans to jointly launch the Chandrayaan-2 artificial lunar satellite. Recently, the sides have agreed to add an Indian mini moon rover to the spacecraft which is set to be launched in 2013, Dmitry Medvedev pointed out. Moreover, apart from the joint use of the Russia-designed GLONASS satellite navigation system, the parties intend to launch production of ground support equipment and set up a joint venture to that effect.

In terms of the sides’ military and technical contacts, some media expect an agreement on the joint development of fifth-generation fighter aircraft to be signed during President Medvedev’s visit to India. New Delhi is said to be prepared to invest an estimated $25 billion dollars in the project. At the same time, Western producers of arms and military equipment are also interested in cooperating with India. Dmitry Medvedev looks upon this “with serenity and pragmatism”, as he put it, saying that Russia is ready for the competition. “The main point is that competition for contracts should be fair and in line with the rules,’ the president emphasized. As for military cooperation between Moscow and New Delhi, it is “transparent and aimed at ensuring India’s defense capability without challenging the existing military and strategic balance in the South Asia region,” the Russian leader said in conclusion.

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