Russia-India relations and economic deals

Interview with Salman Kurshid

Salman Khurshid, an Indian politician, presently the Cabinet Minister of the Ministry of External Affairs and the Chair of Indo-Russian Inter-Governmental Commission (IRIGC) on trade, economic, scientific, technological, and cultural cooperation.

Investment in Russia a 'high priority' for India - Salman Khurshid

Today, during the intergovernmental commission both sides spoke about significant projects for India and for Russia. From those, what are the most important from the Indian point of view? And are the North-South corridor, Delhi-Mumbai corridor and GLONASS among those projects?

I think the important thing is that this is intergovernmental commission is actually a joint commission and the approach that we have is a collective approach. We look at something that will multiply the impact on both sides. Of course, we may have something to contribute or an opportunity to offer. Russia may have something to contribute in terms technology, in terms of experience or the natural resources.

So, what we’ve looked at is a variety of options and some that will benefit India directly, but obviously will bring benefit for Russia in terms of expansion of its trade and opportunities for its business people. Similarly, we are offering things on which we have made advancement and that could be an important dimension in terms of the living standards in Russia. For instance, pharmaceuticals is an area of strength that we want to offer in both ways, in terms of investments in pharmaceuticals in Russia, joint ventures in Russia and, indeed, export of pharmaceuticals which in terms of labour costs and in terms of a total cost of import provide a competitive advantage in the Russian market. So, that’s one very critical factor.

As far as the industrial corridors are concerned, the Delhi-Mumbai industrial corridor, here Russia has an opportunity to come and establish a full industrial townships that come with a lot of preprogramming and all necessary approvals have already been got by these special purpose vehicles. So, you have a fast track opportunity to establish projects in India that have been selected and in which Russia would have an interest. And, therefore, you would have an integrated industrial township in which it will be easy for people to go from here and establish a footprint. And that is something of interest to us.

What is of interest to us and equally to Russia is our collaboration in peaceful use of nuclear energy, because India has a tremendous appetite interest for energy. One thing is to import that energy, hydrocarbons. And the other one is to find the alternative sources of energy. In terms of our planning we have agreed that we need a higher content of energy that is sourced from nuclear plants. And you know that we have the oldest collaboration with Russia as far as civil nuclear energy is concerned.

Kudankulam Plant, which is the latest, the first reactor has been made critical and very soon it will start producing electricity and go up all the way to 1000 megawatts. The second will go critical in the next six months or so. And then, there is the third and the fourth in the series which we’ve been discussing and we want to move forward now to get into a commercial agreement on the third and the fourth. And of course, the overall issues that need to be discussed every time you move forward, they are fresh issues and part of the experience of the past collaboration that is put into whatever the new arrangement is.

Then, of course, the telecom. We have welcomed the investment made in the Indian telecom sector. There was a little setback and the slowdown in our mobile telecom sector, but Sistema is a very important contribution that has been made to the expansion of telecom. I think we have some other issues which we are addressing. There is also an offer which we would seriously look at, which is a civilian use of an alternative GPS system - GLONASS system. This system is offered to us. There is already an examination of possibilities of collaboration and cooperation in the GLONASS system.

In what way it may be used in India?

It is already featured for the military purposes, but for the civilian purposes – expanding the network of telecommunications and communication technology is where this will come handy. So, we are very seriously looking at this as well.

What about the North-South corridor?

You see, the North-South corridor, in terms of the future of our trade is essential. It is essential for the purposes of cutting down on the time it takes to transport manufactured products from here to India, also the cost of going by a much longer route etc. So, the North-South corridor is in fact both an imperative and it is a great opportunity for times to come. All we need is of course the other countries involved in it. So, what we need is to get them onboard and provide such assistance and persuasion that is called for, because this is a win-win for everyone. This isn’t just for Russia or for India, this is for everybody who participates, including Iran where a segment of 164 kilometers has to be linked and then their port will be used. So, it is a win-win situation for everybody.

We are also hoping, and Russia has indicated its interest in participating in that very ambitious pipeline project called the TAPI project, starting from Turkmenistan and going all the way via Afghanistan and Pakistan to India. This is going to change the landscape of our entire region. And it is absolutely wonderful that Russia has shown an interest of wanting to talk to all the partners of the TAPI project. And in many ways Russia can be a major contributor, whether it is in the building of the pipeline or it is in upstream supplement of the gas that will come from Turkmenistan to India, or indeed in any other way.

Some press agencies reported that Pakistan would not like to participate in TAPI project.

I’ve seen that. I think Pakistan is just as serious as any other partner, because if the pipeline becomes a reality – Pakistan gains enormously. Any pipeline going only up to Pakistan puts the entire cost on Pakistan and there are no other parties to differ the cost or to guarantee the overall viability. If the pipeline comes to India, then obviously you see economies of scale in India’s participation. So, Pakistan has nothing to lose at all. And I think people who are giving out these stories that Pakistan will not be interested are not being fair to anyone, including Pakistan.

Can the route of that pipeline be changed without Pakistan?

This pipeline route can’t be changed, it has to go through Pakistan. And I see no reason why Pakistan would want the pipeline to go through. And perhaps with the pipeline going through Afghanistan and Pakistan there will be much greater economic interdependence between our countries and that perhaps is the best guarantee. Any other pipeline that comes from Oman or an undersea pipeline, or a deep sea pipeline that comes from Iran to India – those are completely different projects far more expensive and difficult to put together. I think the best possibility still remains something like the TAPI pipeline.

Is India optimistic about it?

We are committed. We know that some security issues need to be addressed in Afghanistan and of course we need to have Pakistan on board. But we see no reason why this will not be possible.

What investment from Russia does India expect?

We would be more than willing for any investment that comes from anywhere. I think the modern area, so that it is easy to put a financial project on a project.

And what investment plan is India planning to pursue in Russia?

For India, as I said, this is a high priority. And although there would be a high cost involved in laying of the pipeline, but we will be able to recover that cost very quickly because right now we have to import energy from very distant places and it has to come by ship, there has to be gasification and regasification etc. There are all kinds of costs, visible and invisible, that go into the supply of energy. And of course this will probably be the most cost effective and the most convenient way of getting a permanent source of energy.

As far as TAPI is concerned, what do you expect from Russia?

We are happy to entertain Russia in any way. Interests owned by Russia are extremely welcome. As I said, it can either be an investment on which there would obviously be a return, it could be participation in one way or the other and ultimately this pipeline could go well extend into Russia, because the gas is all in this region.

The Russian gas is all going to Europe. Why should it not come down to the South Asia? And there is always going to be a growing demand for gas. So, why should that gas go only to Europe? Why should it not come to South Asia?

For several years the negotiations on LNG supplies have been taking place between Russia and India. How is that going?

We discussed LNG, it is a positive approach of Russia. And so long as the costing works out, we will be more than happy to receive LNG from Russia.

And the very last question. For many years both India and Russia are speaking about the desire to enlarge the volume of trade and a lot is done. Why it is increasing but slowly? And what is to be done and what is planned to be done?

Unfortunately, the global downturn hit all of us, including Russia and ourselves in the last two years. But our impression and certainly Russia’s impression is that the worst is maybe over and the worldwide economies are now turning. We certainly see that happening as far as India is concerned. And therefore, we can look at more trade now and in the future. I think we’ve had an improved profile of trade despite the downturn in the economies, but nothing like what we deserve and nothing like what we want.

And therefore, both our need and our desire must be reflected over the next few years. And therefore, I believe that the governmental commission that met this year has a very-very important role to play. We worked very hard on various propositions and I hope that they will be given the final stamp of approval by the summit meeting that takes place now a couple of weeks away.

Thank you very much.

RUSSIA & INDIA will jointly produce the SSJ 100 and MS 21

Rossiyskaya Gazeta wrote:The 19th meeting of Indo-Russian Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC) decided to go for joint investment in at least a dozen of major projects with an aim of boosting bilateral trade turnover between the two countries. The most promising of these projects appears to be the joint production of two types of commercial aircraft in India.


The joint project on the Russian production of commercial aircraft includes both the Sukhoi Superjet-100, now being built in Russia, and the futuristic aircraft Irkut MS-21, production of which will start soon.

http://indrus.in/economics/2013/10/07/joint_production_of_ssj-100_highlight_of_moscow_irigc_meeting_29977.html

Sujoy wrote:RUSSIA & INDIA will jointly produce the SSJ 100 and MS 21

Rossiyskaya Gazeta wrote:The 19th meeting of Indo-Russian Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC) decided to go for joint investment in at least a dozen of major projects with an aim of boosting bilateral trade turnover between the two countries.  The most promising of these projects appears to be the joint production of two types of commercial aircraft in India.


The joint project on the Russian production of commercial aircraft includes both the Sukhoi Superjet-100, now being built in Russia, and the futuristic aircraft Irkut MS-21, production of which will start soon.

http://indrus.in/economics/2013/10/07/joint_production_of_ssj-100_highlight_of_moscow_irigc_meeting_29977.html

Wow that's quite the turn of events there..
Any other confirmation?

flamming_python wrote:Wow that's quite the turn of events there..
Any other confirmation?

15 Hi Tech Collaborations are being fast tracked . You can get the details here

http://indian.ruvr.ru/2013_09_23/India-Russian-Trade-and-Investment-forum-to-fast-track-15-Hi-Tech-collaborations-3058/


This is apart from the Railway Line that India is constructing in Iran that will enter Russia in Dagestan .

Something big is cooking .....

New opportunities loom for Indo-Russian energy cooperation

Full article here:

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1140307/jsp/frontpage/story_18054272.jsp#.UxuBvs7mfIU
Excerpt:

New Delhi, March 6: India has said Russia holds “legitimate interests” in Ukraine, becoming the first major nation appearing to publicly lean towards Moscow at a time it is largely isolated internationally over its military intervention in the Crimean Peninsula.

National security adviser Shivshankar Menon has said India wants the confrontation between the West and Moscow over Ukraine resolved peacefully. But he added that it also hoped that the interests of Russia and other stakeholders were taken into account.

“We hope that whatever internal issues there are within Ukraine are settled peacefully, and the broader issues of reconciling various interests involved, and there are legitimate Russian and other interests involved…. We hope those are discussed, negotiated and that there is a satisfactory resolution to them,” Menon said today.

Menon’s reference to Russia’s “legitimate interests” sparked a sharp diplomatic response from Kiev.

Russia is India’s largest defence supplier — and an ally that stood by New Delhi in times when much of the rest of the world treated it as a pariah, like when India tested nuclear weapons in 1974 and 1998.

So, India has so far become the only major nation to come out publically in support of Russia. The fact that India says Moscow has "legitimate interests" cleary states which side India stands firmly.

Ukraine has reacted very sharpely to India's open support towards Russia.

Full article:Here

INDIA (INTELLIHUB) — Political representatives from India have weighed in on the crisis in Crimea, boldly taking the side of Russia, putting forward an even more explicit show of support than China offered earlier in the week.

As expected, Ukraine, has reacted very sharpely:

Menon’s reference to Russia’s “legitimate interests” provoked anger from interim representatives in Kiev.



“We are not sure how Russia can be seen having legitimate interests in the territory of another country,” Roman Pyrih, the media secretary at the Ukrainian embassy in New Delhi, said. “In our view, and in the view of much of the international community, this is a direct act of aggression and we cannot accept any justification for it.”

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/India-not-to-support-western-sanctions-against-Russia/articleshow/32307749.cms

NEW DELHI: With Russia facing sanctions from the US and some other countries after it annexed Crimea from Ukraine, India on Wednesday made it clear that it will not support any "unilateral measures" against Russian government.

"India has never supported unilateral sanctions against any country e.g. Iraq or Iran. Therefore, we will also not support any unilateral measures by a country or a group of countries," sources in the government said here.

The remarks came a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin explained the situation to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who underlined India's position on "unity and territorial integrity" of countries and hoped a diplomatic solution would be found to the issue.

READ ALSO: Putin calls up Manmohan Singh after Russia annexes Crimea

Earlier this month, national security advisor Shiv Shankar Menon had said, "There are legitimate Russian and other interests involved and we hope they are discussed and resolved."

The US and the EU have imposed sanctions on several officials from Russia and Ukraine accused of involvement in Moscow's actions in the Black Sea peninsula. Australia has also announced its decision to impose financial and travel sanctions on a dozen political figures from the region.

READ ALSO: Russia could be expelled from G8, UK says

Putin signed the treaty last night with the Russian-backed leaders of Crimea, pressing ahead with an annexation that Washington and Ukraine's new government say is illegal and unacceptable.

http://idrw.org/?p=35402

Attempts to isolate Russia will be counterproductive: India




All attempts to isolate Russia over Ukraine will be counterproductive, India has concluded ahead of a crucial upcoming Brics meeting over the issue this week on the sidelines of Nuclear Security Summit (NSS) in The Hague.


The Brics meeting is likely to be followed by a joint statement mentioning Ukraine. TOI has learnt that the government has arrived at 3 definitive conclusions as it is called out to explain where it stands on an issue which has ignited fears of a return to the cold war days.

First, it has decided that the international community needs Russia’s support in handling international issues like Afghanistan, Iran and Syria and that a cold war-like situation will help nobody. The situation in Afghanistan is of particular concern to India as it looks to “like minded” countries in the region to negate any adverse impact of the international forces pullout this year.

Second, there can’t be any military solution to issue and that even sanctions would not work as effective instruments of persuasion if they don’t come under the UN umbrella.

Third, as India continues to abide by its traditional position of respecting territorial integrity of all countries, it wants Moscow to explore the possibility of a constructive dialogue for finding a political solution which will protect the legitimate interests of all countries.

India will be represented at the NSS by foreign minister Salman Khurshid. China will be represented by President Xi Jinping and Russia by Khurshid’s counterpart Sergey Lavrov.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has already thanked PM Manmohan Singh for being supportive of Moscow even as he faced allegations of “land grab” from the US over Crimea annexation. With India now expanding further on its display of what it describes as an understanding of Russia’s strategic interests in Ukraine, Putin is sure to feel even more pleased with the Indian stand.

The government finds it ironic that those who were together in dealing with a very difficult situation in Syria are now pitted against each other over Ukraine. It believes that another prolonged global standoff will be disastrous for international security and economy.

The Brics meeting will follow another important meeting in the Hague between President Obama and Xi on Monday. Obama is meeting Xi to wean China away from Moscow at a time when ties between the 2 neighbours are growing rapidly.

Indian officials are closely looking at the outcome of this meeting as so far Beijing has done a great job of sitting on the fence and allowing both sides to interpret its actions favourably. While Putin has thanked China for looking at the situation in Crimea taking into account the “full historical and political context”, the US has pointed to Beijing’s abstention from a UNSC vote against the Crimea referendum as a proof of Russia’s isolation over the issue.

Russia has been quick to claim support from China and India at a time when the US are threatening to impose stricter sanctions with German Chancellor Angela Merkel declaring that the Russia headed G8 did not even exist now. While the EU and the US have denounced the Crimea referendum as illegal, India had refrained from making any direct comment on it even as it talks about its “consistent” respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty.

The Brics meet will be watched with a lot of interest by the international community as the other 2 members, Brazil and South Africa, too have not yet clearly spelt out their position. Brazil, in fact, is said to be worried about offending Russia as it doesn’t want to jeopardize the Brics summit meet scheduled in Brazil later this year. Brazil is sending its Vice-President Michel Temer to the Hague and South Africa will be represented by minister of international relations and cooperation Maite Nkoana-Mashabane.

RusHydro wins tender for design of hydroelectric station in INDIA

Russia & India Report wrote:JSC RusHydro said it signed a contract with India’s state-owned North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Limited (NEEPCO) to design the second phase of Upper Siang hydropower project – one of the largest hydroelectric plants in Asia and the largest in India. The facility will have installed capacity of 3,750 MW and is regarded by the Indian government as a high priority national project, the company said.

In addition, representatives of the company announced that it will participate in the tender for the construction of the same hydroelectric station – the project as a whole is estimated at $16 billion. The company’s Asian expansion has been nurtured for nearly 10 years. In the face of deteriorating conditions with the West, this vector becomes increasingly imperative.
Under the tender, won by RusHydro, and the Hydroproject institute, the research and design will take 24 months.
“RusHydro’s affiliate – RusHydro International India – will be the operator of the given project. This is a joint Russian-Indian enterprise with the control on the Russian side,” George Rizhinashvili, Deputy Chairman of the Management Board of RusHydro, said. “We have been preparing a long time for this and, after 20 years, Russia returns to the Indian market and the markets of the Asia-Pacific region.”


Rizhinashvili said RudHydro would try to win a tender for the actual construction and, if successful, this would be the company’s largest overseas project. At present, RusHydro is working on two large-scale international projects. Since 2011 the company controls the cascade hydroelectric station in Armenia. In 2012 construction began on the Upper-Naryn cascade station in Kyrgyzstan, which will be commissioned in 2019.

In the last decade, RusHydro had plans to branch out to India, Laos, Nepal and Bhutan. However, the company RusSUNHydro Limited (established in 2007 in collaboration with the Indian group SUN) did not proceed with a planned project because the projects’ indicators did not meet the demands of the shareholders’ investment policies.

Nikita Maslennikov, an analyst from the Institute of Contemporary Development believes the new project gives an additional stimulus to the development of bilateral Russian-Indian economic relations. Against the backdrop of strained relations between Russia and the West, the revitalization of Russian companies in Asia seems logical – especially considering the Indian position on the Crimean issue. It is widely believed that India will not support US and EU sanctions on Russia.


New engineering university in Arunachal

RusHydro is also preparing to open a new university in the country. Rizhinashvili said, by 2015, a hydro engineering university will be opened in Arunachal Pradesh.

This educational institution, which will have Russian faculty, will train personnel for the stations, dams, and other objects of significance. Many Russian specialists who work on Rushydro projects could double up as faculty at the institute.


“Our Indian colleagues approached us because Russian engineering schools are considered world class. The training scheme and work of the university is being discussed, but I can already say that it will be a typical hydro engineering institute with elements of energy efficiency with different departments for the design of dams and objects of hydro technical significance,” he explained.
Rizhinashvili did not disclose information on the number of students or departments.

A member of the RusHydro board also said that the standards of Russian design incorporated into the Indian objects will enable Russia to enter into a leading position in the Asia-Pacific region.

“We want to create a springboard for a group of Russian companies which will develop their construction bases in the region and implement infrastructure projects in the next 20-30 years. This is our strategic commitment,” added Rizhinashvili.

http://indrus.in/economics/2014/03/24/rushydro_wins_tender_for_design_of_arunachal_pradesh_hydroelectric__33961.html

http://thediplomat.com/2014/03/indian-foreign-policy-the-cold-war-lingers/

Indian Foreign Policy: The Cold War Lingers
By Andrew J. Stravers and Peter Harris
The Diplomat
March 24, 2014



In the wake of the Vladimir Putin’s incursion into Crimea, almost every member of the international community voiced concern over Russia’s actions. While the U.S. and European Union were the most forceful in their criticism, non-Western states such as China and even Iran also made clear their support for the principles of non-intervention, state sovereignty and territorial integrity – oblique criticisms of Moscow’s disregard for cornerstone Westphalian norms. For the most part, support for Russia has been confined to the predictable incendiaries: Cuba, Venezuela and Syria, for example. Yet there is one unusual suspect among those lining up behind Putin that requires further investigation: India.

On its face, New Delhi’s enunciation of respect for Russia’s “legitimate interests” in Crimea is a surprising blow to the prevailing U.S. policy of reaching out to India. As the largest democracy in the world, a burgeoning capitalist economy and an increasingly important military power, India has been viewed as a counterweight to China’s rise and an anchor of the U.S.-led international order. India’s support for Russia’s revisionism in Crimea, then, is something that should trouble U.S. policymakers. In the long run, India’s response to the Crimean crisis might even be remembered as one of the more important implications of the whole episode. For how India aligns in the coming multipolar world will have enormous ramifications.

India’s support for Putin is a reminder that the West should not take India’s friendship for granted. To be sure, India made a necessary shift in tone towards the West following the collapse of the Soviet Union. India has liberalized its economy and become a strategic partner in several key areas. But the past two decades of broad cooperation should not be taken as an inexorable trend towards a complete harmonization of interests between India and the West. Amid all the talk of a renewed Cold War in Europe it has been forgotten that, for India, Cold War international relations never truly ended. In particular, the Indo-Russian relationship remains an important mainstay of Indian grand strategy – a hangover from that bygone era.

The years following the collapse of the Soviet empire saw the U.S. mainly concerned with a failed attempt to curb India’s nuclear program. After 9/11, America’s attention was focused on partnership with India while still maintaining the confidence and cooperation of Pakistan. Both periods of engagement, however, left the Indo-U.S. relationship well short of the kind of deep cooperation that marked Indo-Soviet relations during the Cold War. The result has been that Moscow still enjoys a thoroughly positive relationship with New Delhi.

India and Russia maintain deep cooperation on political, military and economic dimensions. Russian trade with India rivals the latter’s trade with the United States, and Indian companies have made huge investments in Russian energy firms and energy projects in the Bay of Bengal. In addition, the two nations are developing a southern route from Russia to the Arabian Sea that will increase Russian trade in the whole of the Indian Ocean region.

Russia still provides India’s military with more than 70 percent of its weapons systems and armaments and the two are currently cooperating in the development of cruise missile systems, strike fighters and transport aircraft. Russia is one of only two countries in the world that have annual ministerial-level defense reviews with India. The two cooperate on the advancement of a space program and they have bilateral nuclear agreement worth potentially tens of billions of dollars. Such deep and expansive ties with Russia complicate India’s multifarious importance from the perspective of Washington (as a cog in the U.S. “pivot” to Asia, an indispensable ally in the War on Terror and a bustling hub of the global economy).

After the Bush administration left office, India was heralded as one of the foreign policy success stories of his presidency. Economic relations had been deepened, diplomatic ties strengthened, a nuclear agreement signed. All indications were that India would be a stalwart American ally at a strategic nexus between the Middle East and the new focus on Asia. Historically poor relations with China would keep India safely out of the Chinese orbit. India could be relied upon to help encircle China, a vital link in a twenty-first century cordon sanitaire around the muscular Middle Kingdom.

But India never lost sight of its historic Cold War ally and the Indian people have never fully lost their suspicion of Western powers and creeping colonialism. American policymakers may have been overly naïve in thinking that economic growth, increased trade and a nuclear deal could move India safely into the American camp. Perhaps it is true that India will never cement itself on China’s side, but the fact is that nothing has been done to erase the deep Indo-Russian ties that formed during decades of Cold War.

Putin’s stratagem in Crimea has reminded the world that China is not the only rising or resurgent Great Power deserving of attention. As such, officials need to reconsider India’s place in American grand strategy. There is no doubt that India (itself a rising state with the potential to become a geopolitical pole in its own right) will remain a prominent player in the decades ahead. India occupies a crucial geostrategic location between a rising China, the energy producing regions of the Middle East and a newly vigorous African economy. An expanding Indian navy featuring 150 ships and multiple aircraft carriers will possess the capability to exercise veto power over key shipping choke points in the Persian Gulf, Strait of Malacca, and Suez region. Economic forecasts suggest India will surpass the GDP of the United States somewhere in the middle of the century.

It should greatly concern the American foreign policy establishment that, at a moment when international norms are under assault by Moscow, India has chosen to (at least partially) throw its lot in with Russia. How strong can a norm of territorial integrity be without the world’s largest nation and the world’s largest democracy? How stable can the American-led global order be with such a prominent repudiation of American foreign policy preferences? The answer to both of these questions is, unfortunately, “not very.”

What should be done? The past decade has seen a consistent focus by Washington to integrate and contain a rising China, but not enough has been done to integrate and build ties with a rising India. Simply because India is a democracy does not mean that it will automatically align itself to American preferences, and the United States must make a concerted effort to win India’s favor and goodwill in a lasting way. Until now, closeness with India has been compromised by competing demands to remain faithful to Pakistan, America’s own Cold War-era ally. Indeed, Russia’s historic support for Indian claims over Kashmir (sometimes explicit, sometimes implicit) has been no small part of Moscow’s appeal to New Delhi. Sooner or later, a new balance must be struck between U.S. commitments to these two nations. While Pakistan is integral to regional security, India’s cooperation will be essential to sustain the American vision of global governance.

The Obama administration can lay the groundwork for a more intimate relationship with India by doing three things. First, and easiest, the United States must clear up the detention and mistreatment of Devyani Khobragade. Far greater crimes have been excused for much less than would be gained in terms of Indian public opinion if the U.S. were to show flexibility towards Khobragade. Whether charges truly are warranted or not, Washington must at least apologize for her treatment in order to mitigate the blow that has been dealt to Indian impressions of the United States.

Second, the U.S. needs to commit itself to the establishment of a free trade agreement with India. India presents an enormous opportunity for American investment, with its stable system of property rights, consolidated democracy, and English-speaking population. An agreement will benefit both the Indian and American peoples, and intertwine the two nations to the high degree that their statures in the global economy mandate.

Third, the United States should seriously reconsider its support for a permanent Indian seat on the United Nations Security Council. If time is running out on the post-WWII international order, it makes sense for the U.S. to exploit its waning preponderant influence and play a major role in fashioning the future of the multipolar order. By seizing the agenda and winning the friendship and trust of rising countries (especially India and Brazil) that generally abide by an American-friendly set of global rules, the United States can promote the existence of a favorable global environment of peace and prosperity for generations to come.

Washington has been warned: India’s expression of sympathy for Russian interests in Crimea should serve as an alarm bell for American officials that a crucial player in world affairs has gone neglected. India’s enlistment as a card-carrying supporter of the existing international order simply cannot be counted upon going forward. If the U.S. wants India to serve as a bulwark of the international status quo, some form of policy change will be required. By shifting India to the front and center of American foreign policy, the United States can help to assure for itself – and the wider world – a future based on prevailing global norms rather than the designs of revisionist, illiberal and undemocratic states like Russia.


Indian Foreign Policy: The Cold War Lingers | The Diplomat

The moment India came out "publically" in support of Russia, I knew this would happen. Look how frustrated the Yanks sound in this article. They even call Russia undemocratic.

Also, the Americans want the decades old Indo-Russian ties to end, is very obvious from this article. They have so much malice against Russia. And India coming out openly in Putin's support has hit a nerve it seems

America talking about global norms, LOL!

These people have very selective memories.

Russia and India

Political relations

The first major political initiative, since the collapse of the Soviet Union, between India and Russia began with the Strategic Partnership signed between the two countries in 2000. President Vladimir Putin stated in an article written by him in the Hindu, "The Declaration on Strategic Partnership between India and Russia signed in October 2000 became a truly historic step".[17][18] Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also agreed with his counterpart by stated in speech given during President Putin's 2012 visit to India, "President Putin is a valued friend of India and the original architect of the India-Russia strategic partnership".[19] Both countries closely collaborate on matters of shared national interest these include at the UN, BRICS, G20 and SCO where India has observer status and has been asked by Russia to become a full member.[8] Russia also strongly supports India receiving a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.[9] In addition, Russia has vocal backed India joining the NSG[20] and APEC.[21] Moreover, it has also expressed interest in joining SAARC with observer status in which India is a founding member.[11][22]

Russia currently is one of only two countries in the world (the other being Japan) that has a mechanism for annual ministerial-level defence reviews with India.[1] The Indo-Russian Inter-Governmental Commission (IRIGC), which is one of the largest and comprehensive governmental mechanisms that India has had with any country internationally. Almost every department from the Government of India attends it.

The Indo-Russian Inter-Governmental Commission (IRIGC) is the main body that conducts affairs at the governmental level between both countries.[7] Some have described it as the steering committee of Indo-Russia relations.[7] It is divided into two parts, the first covering Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Co-operation. This is normally co-chaired by the Russian Deputy Prime Minister and the Indian External Affairs Minister. The second part of the commission covers Military Technical Co-operation this is co-chaired by the two countries respective Defence Ministers. Both parts of IRIGC meet annually.[7]

In addition, to the IRIGC there are other bodies that conduct economic relations between the two countries. These include, the Indo-Russian Forum on Trade and Investment, the India-Russia Business Council, the India-Russia Trade, Investment and Technology Promotion Council and the India-Russia Chamber of Commerce.[23]

Military relationship

Defence relations between India and the Russian Federation have a historical perspective. The Soviet Union was an important supplier of defence equipment for several decades, and that relationship was inherited by Russia after the break-up of the Soviet Union. In 1997, Russian and India signed a ten-year agreement for further military-technical cooperation. That agreement encompassed a wide range of activities, including the purchase of completed weaponry, joint development and production, and joint marketing of armaments and military technologies.[24]

Today, the co-operation is not limited to a buyer-seller relationship but includes joint research and development, training, service to service contacts, including joint exercises. The last joint naval exercises took place in April 2007 in the Sea of Japan and joint airborne exercises were held in September 2007 in Russia. The last military exercise between Russian and Indian army units were held in Uttarakhand in October 2010. However, the bilateral relations seem to be strained with Russia cancelling both its 'Indra' series of military exercises with India for the year 2011. In April 2011, a flotilla of five warships from the Indian navy's eastern fleet that went for joint naval exercises to Vladivostok in the Russian far-east, was turned back without any manoeuvres. The joint army exercises scheduled to be held in Russia in June, 2011 was also cancelled shortly afterwards. One of the reasons given was that the MoD had not informed Moscow of the army exercises in advance.[25]

An Inter-Governmental commission on military-technical co-operation is co-chaired by the defence ministers of the two countries. The seventh session of this Inter-Governmental Commission was held in October 2007 in Moscow. During the visit, an agreement on joint development and production of prospective multi-role fighters was signed between the two countries.

An India–Russia co-operation agreement was signed in December 1988. It has resulted in the sale of a multitude of defence equipment to India and also the emergence of the countries as development partners as opposed to purely a buyer-seller relationship. Two programmes that evidence this approach are the projects to form Indian-Russian joint ventures to develop and produce the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) and the Multirole Transport Aircraft (MTA). The agreement is pending a 10-year extension.

India and Russia have several major joint military programmes including:

BrahMos cruise missile programme
5th generation fighter jet programme
Sukhoi Su-30MKI programme (230+ to be built by Hindustan Aeronautics)
Ilyushin/HAL Tactical Transport Aircraft

Additionally, India has purchased/leased various military hardware from Russia:

T-90S Bhishma with over 1000 to be built in India
Akula-II nuclear submarine (2 to be leased with an option to buy when the lease expires)
INS Vikramaditya aircraft carrier programme
Tu-22M3 bombers (4 ordered)
US$900 million upgrade of MiG-29
Mil Mi-17 (80 ordered)
Ilyushin Il-76 Candid (6 ordered to fit Israeli Phalcon radar)

In May 2011, Russia cancelled joint army and naval exercises with India allegedly in response to the elimination of Mikoyan MiG-35 from the Indian MRCA competition.[25][27] An Indian Navy report to the Ministry of Defence referred to Russia as a fair-weather friend and recommended the review of Russia's status as a strategic partner.[25] Both countries signed a defence deal worth $2.9 billion during President Putin's visit to India in December 2012. The 42 new Sukhois, to be produced under licence by defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics, will add to the 230 Sukhois earlier contracted from Russia. Overall, the price tag for the 272 Sukhois - three of the over 170 inducted till now have crashed - stands at over $12 billion.The medium-lift Mi-17 V5 helicopters (59 for IAF and 12 for home ministry/BSF) will add to the 80 such choppers already being inducted under a $1.34 billion deal inked in 2008. The value of India's defence projects with Russia will further zoom north after the imminent inking of the final design contract for the joint development of a futuristic stealth fifth-generation fighter. This R&D contract is itself pegged at US$11 billion, to be shared equally by the two countries. So if India inducts over 200 of these 5th Gen fighters, as it hopes to do from 2022 onwards, the overall cost of this gigantic project for India will come to around US$35 billion since each of the jets will come for upwards of US$100 million at least.

Economic relations

Bilateral trade turnover is modest and stood at US$3 billion in 2006–07, of which Indian exports to Russia were valued at US$908 million. The major Indian exports to Russia are pharmaceuticals; tea, coffee and spices; apparel and clothing; edible preparations; and engineering goods. Main Indian imports from Russia are iron and steel; fertilisers; non-ferrous metals; paper products; coal, coke & briquettes; cereals; and rubber. Indo-Russian trade is expected to reach US$10 billion by 2010.

The India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Co-operation (IRIGC) is co-chaired by India's External Affairs Minister and the Russian Deputy Prime Minister. There are six Joint Working Groups [WG] under the IRIGC, namely, WG on Trade and Economy [trade and financial matters], WG on Energy [oil and gas, thermal and hydel power, non-conventional energy], WG on Metallurgy and Mining [steel, non-ferrous metal, coal], WG on Science & Technology; WG on Communication and Information Technology; and WG on Culture and Tourism. The 13th of the IRIGC was held in Moscow on 12 October 2007.
The India Trade Promotion Organization in Moscow, Russia

The two countries have set up India-Russia Forum on Trade and Investment at the level of the two Commerce Ministers to promote trade, investment and economic co-operation. The first Forum was held in New Delhi on 12–13 February 2007, which was attended by the Minister of Commerce and Industry and the Russian Minister of Economic Development and Trade, apart from a large number of business representatives from both sides. The Minister of Commerce & Industry, Shri Kamal Nath participated in the 11th Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum on 9–10 June 2007.

In February 2006, India and Russia also set up a Joint Study Group to examine ways to increase trade to US$10 billion by 2010 and to study feasibility of a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA). The group finalised its report after its fourth meeting in Moscow in July 2007. It has been agreed that a Joint Task Force would monitor the implementation of the recommendation made in the Joint Study Group Report, including considering CECA. The second BRIC summit was held in Brasília in April 2010. India and Russia agreed to jointly study a Comprehensive Economic Co-operation Agreement with Belarus-Kazakhstan with the aim of boosting trade ties and achieving the ambitious trade target of $20 billion by 2015.[28] Prime Minister Manmohan Singh stated in speech given during President Putin's 2012 visit to India, "Our bilateral trade has grown by over 30 per cent this year. There is still untapped potential in areas such as pharmaceuticals, fertilisers, mining, steel, information technology, civil aviation, telecommunications, infrastructure, food processing, innovation and services, which we will work to exploit".[29]

Due to India simplifying recent visa rule changes for Russians travelling to India, the number of tourists increase by over 22%.[30] In 2011 the Indian consulates in Moscow, Vladivostok and St. Petersburg issued 160,000 visas an increase of over 50% compared to 2010.[31]

The table below shows the recent Indo-Russian bilateral trade performance:
Indo-Russian trade (2009-12)
Year Trade Volume (Billion $) Annual Change
2009 $7.46[32]
2010 $8.53[33] +14.34%
2011 $8.87[34] +3.98%
2012 $11.04[35] +24.50%

Co-operation in the Energy sector

Energy sector is an important area in Indo-Russian bilateral relations. In 2001, ONGC-Videsh acquired 20% stake in the Sakhalin-I oil and gas project in the Russian Federation, and has invested about US $1.7 billion in the project. The Russian company Gazprom and Gas Authority of India. have collaborated in joint development of a block in the Bay of Bengal. Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project with two units of 1000 MW each is a good example of Indo-Russian nuclear energy co-operation. Both sides have expressed interest in expanding co-operation in the energy sector.

In December 2008, Russia and India signed an agreement to build civilian nuclear reactors in India during a visit by the Russian president to New Delhi.[36]
Space Co-operation
India and Russia both have signed agreements for cooperation and use of GLONASS

Space is another key sector of collaboration between the two countries. During President Vladimir Putin's visit to India in December 2004, two space-related bilateral agreements were signed viz. Inter-Governmental umbrella Agreement on co-operation in the outer space for peaceful purposes and the Inter Space Agency Agreement on co-operation in the Russian satellite navigation system GLONASS. Subsequently a number of follow-up agreements on GLONASS have been signed. In November 2007, the two countries have signed an agreement on joint lunar exploration. These space co-operation programmes are under implementation. Chandrayaan-2 is a joint lunar exploration mission proposed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Russian Federal Space Agency (RKA) and has a projected cost of 4.25 billion (US$90 million). The mission, proposed to be launched in 2013 by a Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) launch vehicle, includes a lunar orbiter and a rover made in India as well as one lander built by Russia.
Science and Technology

The ongoing collaboration in the field of science & technology, under the Integrated Long-Term Programme of Co-operation (ILTP) is the largest co-operation programme in this sphere for both India and Russia. ILTP is coordinated by the Department of Science and Technology from the Indian side and by the Russian Academy of Sciences and Russian Ministry of Industry & Science and Technology from the Russian side. Development of SARAS Duet aircraft, semiconductor products, super computers, poly-vaccines, laser science and technology, seismology, high-purity materials, software & IT and Ayurveda have been some of the priority areas of co-operation under the ILTP. Under this programme, eight joint Indo-Russian centres have been established to focus on joint research and development work. Two other Joint Centres on Non-ferrous Metals and Accelerators and Lasers are being set up in India. A Joint Technology Centre based in Moscow to bring cutting edge technologies to the market is also under processing. An ILTP Joint Council met in Moscow on 11–12 October 2007 to review co-operation and give it further direction. In August 2007, an MoU was signed between Department of Science and Technology and Russian Foundation of Basic Research, Moscow to pursue scientific co-operation.

The "North-South" Transport Corridor Agreement [INSTC] has been ratified by all the three original signatory states, viz. India, Iran and Russia, and has come into force since 16 May 2002. This route is expected to reduce the cost of movement of goods between India and Russia and beyond. The 3rd Coordination Council Meeting of the INSTC was held in October 2005 in New Delhi and the 4th meeting was held in Aktau, Kazakhstan in October 2007 to discuss further streamlining the operation of the corridor.[37]

In 2011, Iran and Russia agreed to make every effort to develop bilateral and multilateral cooperation in road, rail, air and marine transportation.[38] In 2012, Rasia FZE was awarded the Armenia-Iran railway project and the southern section of the North-South Road Corridor, which will complete the key missing link in the International North–South Transport Corridor.

Cooperation in the Cultural Sphere

India–Russia relations in the field of culture are historical. Prominent Russian painter and philosopher Nicholas Roerich was influenced by the philosophy of Ramakrishna and Vivekananda, the poetry of Rabindranath Tagore, and the Bhagavad Gita. He spent his last life in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh. The 130th birth anniversary of Nicholas Roerich and 100th birth anniversary of Svetoslav Roerich were celebrated in India in October 2004. Notable Russian Indologists like Eugene Chelyshev and Gury Marchuk were awarded the Sahitya Akademi Fellowship by the Government of India.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on the sets of Ra.One

Days of Russian Culture were held in India in November 2003, in Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai. "Days of Indian Culture" in Russia were organised from September to October 2005 in Russia. Chief Minister of National Capital Territory of Delhi led a delegation for participating in the event "Days of Delhi in Moscow" from 28 May 1 June 2006. The "Year of Russia in India" was held in 2008. It was followed by the "Year of India in Russia" in 2009. There is a Hindi Department, in the University of Moscow along with five Chairs relating to Indology in Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Kazan and Vladivostok.
Terrorism

On international terrorism, India and Russia agree that there is no justification for terrorism, and this must be fought against, without compromise and wherever it exists. Russia has supported the Indian draft at the UN on Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism [CCIT]. The two sides signed a MoU on co-operation in combating terrorism in December 2002. A Joint Working Group on Combating International Terrorism meets from time to time and its fourth meeting was held in Delhi on 24 October 2006.Both Russia and India have faced the problem of terrorism, India has seen it in the context of its military presence in Kashmir and Russia has seen it in Chechnya and both the countries are supportive of each other on the issue of terrorism.
Nuclear Deals

Construction of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant in 2009

On 7 November 2009, India signed a new nuclear deal with Russia apart from the deals that were agreed upon by the two countries earlier.India and Russia are in discussion for construction of two more nuclear power units at Kudankulam. The two units already set up are ready for operation.[40] During Russian president Vladimir Putin's visit to India for the 13th annual summit, a co-operative civilian nuclear energy road map was agreed to. Running until 2030, sixteen to eighteen new reactors will be constructed, with installed capacity of 1000 MW each. A 1000 MW reactor costs around $2.5 billion so the deal may touch $45 billion in worth.

Russians are very proud people. So, after what happened in 2011(India going for Rafale), did strain the relationship. However, now everything seems to be back on track.

BANGALORE: Russian supercomputing company RSC group and the Russian Academy of Sciences have proposed collaboration with India to set up supercomputing facilities that will rival China's Tianhe-2, the world's fastest supercomputer.

"India has many skills for building supercomputers. It is very strong in software," said Alexey Shmelev, cofounder and chief operations officer of RSC group and delegate to the Russian Academy of Sciences. "I am ready to share technology with India. I guess there would not be many players who are willing to do so."

In a letter last month, Boris Shabanov of the Russian Academy of Sciences has invited a team from the Indian Institute of Science and the Karnataka government to explore the possibility of a supercomputing centre in Bangalore.

CNR Rao, a Bharat Ratna awardee who heads the scientific advisory council to the prime minister, said it is difficult to assess a potential collaboration right away, but was of the view that "the Chinese are way ahead".

Tianhe-2, developed by China's National University of Defense Technology retained its position as the world's number one system according to TOP500 project which ranks the most powerful computer systems in the world. It beat Titan, a US supercomputer which briefly held the world speed crown.

India's supercomputer Param Yuva - II is ranked at 83 while Russia's Lomonosov supercomputer is ranked at 37. If the joint cooperation between Russia and India is found viable, it can result in a computing system as big as a basketball court that can perform approximately as many operations per second as several million personal computers.

In 2009, India had taken a huge leap in supercomputing with EKA. It was then the fourth fastest supercomputer in the world and fastest in Asia. "But in the next few years, China took over and it has retained its position as the world's number one system," said Vipin Chaudhary. He is the former chief executive of Computational Research Laboratories, a subsidiary of Tata Sons that built the EKA supercomputer.

"We need to catch up first before trying to leapfrog US and China. A lot of training and research needs to be supported for sustained period of time."

High performance computing can deliver multiple applications for everyday use from weather and climate prediction to what kind of seeds to sow at a location based on the climate, preventing water seepage, oil and gas exploration, simulation of nuclear devices and designing better missiles.

It can also help design drugs for diseases which are more prevalent in India, building better fuel efficient cars and preventing terrorist attacks.

India has committed over Rs 12,000 crore to the Indian Space Research Organisation and the Indian Institute of Science to develop a high-performance supercomputer by 2018. The government has also announced a Rs 4,500 crore national mission on high-performance computing.

"Building the world's fastest supercomputer would send a powerful message to young engineers that we are leading in science and technology and give them confidence," said Anand Babu Periasamy, cofounder of technology company Gluster and who was part of the team that built the US' 'Thunder' supercomputer which in 2004 was the second-fastest supercomputer in the world.

"We can easily build faster supercomputer than China; we have very high skilled people. It is just a matter of budget and will."

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/hardware/russia-offers-to-develop-supercomputer-with-india-to-counter-chinese-supremacy/articleshow/33423447.cms?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=FBETMain&utm_campaign=Tech

Great news.

Indian Flanker wrote:

BANGALORE: Russian supercomputing company RSC group and the Russian Academy of Sciences have proposed collaboration with India to set up supercomputing facilities that will rival China's Tianhe-2, the world's fastest supercomputer.

"India has many skills for building supercomputers. It is very strong in software," said Alexey Shmelev, cofounder and chief operations officer of RSC group and delegate to the Russian Academy of Sciences. "I am ready to share technology with India. I guess there would not be many players who are willing to do so."

In a letter last month, Boris Shabanov of the Russian Academy of Sciences has invited a team from the Indian Institute of Science and the Karnataka government to explore the possibility of a supercomputing centre in Bangalore.

CNR Rao, a Bharat Ratna awardee who heads the scientific advisory council to the prime minister, said it is difficult to assess a potential collaboration right away, but was of the view that "the Chinese are way ahead".

Tianhe-2, developed by China's National University of Defense Technology retained its position as the world's number one system according to TOP500 project which ranks the most powerful computer systems in the world. It beat Titan, a US supercomputer which briefly held the world speed crown.

India's supercomputer Param Yuva - II is ranked at 83 while Russia's Lomonosov supercomputer is ranked at 37. If the joint cooperation between Russia and India is found viable, it can result in a computing system as big as a basketball court that can perform approximately as many operations per second as several million personal computers.

In 2009, India had taken a huge leap in supercomputing with EKA. It was then the fourth fastest supercomputer in the world and fastest in Asia. "But in the next few years, China took over and it has retained its position as the world's number one system," said Vipin Chaudhary. He is the former chief executive of Computational Research Laboratories, a subsidiary of Tata Sons that built the EKA supercomputer.

"We need to catch up first before trying to leapfrog US and China. A lot of training and research needs to be supported for sustained period of time."

High performance computing can deliver multiple applications for everyday use from weather and climate prediction to what kind of seeds to sow at a location based on the climate, preventing water seepage, oil and gas exploration, simulation of nuclear devices and designing better missiles.

It can also help design drugs for diseases which are more prevalent in India, building better fuel efficient cars and preventing terrorist attacks.

India has committed over Rs 12,000 crore to the Indian Space Research Organisation and the Indian Institute of Science to develop a high-performance supercomputer by 2018. The government has also announced a Rs 4,500 crore national mission on high-performance computing.

"Building the world's fastest supercomputer would send a powerful message to young engineers that we are leading in science and technology and give them confidence," said Anand Babu Periasamy, cofounder of technology company Gluster and who was part of the team that built the US' 'Thunder' supercomputer which in 2004 was the second-fastest supercomputer in the world.

"We can easily build faster supercomputer than China; we have very high skilled people. It is just a matter of budget and will."

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/hardware/russia-offers-to-develop-supercomputer-with-india-to-counter-chinese-supremacy/articleshow/33423447.cms?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=FBETMain&utm_campaign=Tech

Great news.

The whole reason why Russia lagged behind China in super computers was that the U.S. State Dept. arm-twisted tech companies to not do business with the Russian super computer industry for the reasons of "fighting terrorism", it's not to rival Chinese tech industry but to rival the U.S. State Dept. and the American tech industry for it's willingness to strong-arm their opposition/competition and their pension for arm-twisting.

India, Russia sign $ 5 Billion agreement to construct 2 units of Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant project

Times Of India wrote:After years of deadlock on liability issue, India and Russia have signed an agreement for building units 3 and 4 of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant project (KKNPP) at a cost of Rs 33,000 crore.

The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) signed a general framework agreement (GFA) with its Russian counterpart on Thursday, sources said here today.

However, some permissions are required from Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AREB) before work on the project could actually start, they said.

Units 3 and 4 of the KKNPP have stuck over the "Right to Recourse" clause of the Civil Liability Nuclear Damage Act 2010 (CLND) as the Russians have been apprehensive over it.

In October last year, the deal could not be signed over the same issue when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visited Russia due to lack consensus over the issue between both the countries.

However, the issue has been sorted out after hectic negotiations.

Last month, DAE secretary R K Singh along with other senior officers of the department had a meeting here with the Russian counterparts in which the breakthrough was made.

Things were expedited and the proposal was moved before the Cabinet Committee on Security last month. The atomic energy department wanted to seek permission of the Election Commission as polls were declared a week later.

"We wanted to play safe and did not want any kind of hurdle as the project has already been delayed for a long time," the sources said.

"KKNPP 1 and 2 also got commissioned during the Manmohan Singh tenure and the government wanted this agreement to be signed at the earliest," the sources added.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/India-Russia-finally-sign-agreement-on-Kudankulam-3-4-units/articleshow/33623262.cms

Great   

Yeah good news

What would be Russia most preferable political option in India elections and is it likely that they might came to power?

Viktor wrote:What would be Russia most preferable political option in India elections and is it likely that they might came to power?

Regardless of who comes into power ties with Russia will not be affected . The only problem is that a number of political parties both left & right of center are in the payrolls of CIA and MI5 . But this has been going on for decades now .

BTW - Do read this

http://in.rbth.com/blogs/2014/04/21/a_division_of_labour_for_afghan_stability_34697.html

Russia, India sign deal to build two units of Kudankulam NPP

Russia and India have signed a general framework agreement to build the third and fourth units of the Kudankulam nuclear power plant, Rosatom director-general has said, according to Itar-Tass.

Earlier, Indian mass media reported on the signing of the agreement.

"We'll be able to settle all disagreements. On April 19 the agreement was signed," Sergei Kiriyenko said on Thursday.

In early May the Kudankulam nuclear power plant's first unit reached 90% of its operating capacity.

After the permission is gotten it will reach full capacity (1,000 MWt).

India has approved a large-scale programme for developing nuclear power engineering. Till 2017 nineteen nuclear power plants’ units with the capacity of 17,400 MWt are planned to be built. Eight units will be constructed with the participation of other countries.

In 2010 Russia and India signed a roadmap for building up to 14-16 Russian-design power units in India.

The Kudankulam nuclear power plant being built with Russia’s assistance can withstand a strong earthquake or tsunami, members of the government committee for the evaluation of the nuclear power plant's safety said.

However the commissioning of the first stage of the Kudankulam nuclear power plant scheduled for late 2011 was delayed by mass protests that demanded its closure.

India is planning to build 19 nuclear power units with a combined capacity of 17,400 MWe by 2017. Eight of them will be built in cooperation with other countries. Russia will help to build units 3 and 4 at the Kudankulam nuclear power plant. Each will have a capacity of 1,000 MWt.

The construction of Unit 2 is almost completed. Rosatom Head Kiriyenko said earlier that Unit No. 2 would be commissioned by the summer of 2013. “All the rest depends on when the Indian side makes the decision,” he added.

He also said that the coordination of commercial terms of building units 3 and 4 at the Kudankulam nuclear power plant had been completed. “We earlier signed an agreement on a loan to India to build Units 3 and 4. The technical parameters have also been approved,” he said.

The Kudankulam NPP will supply electricity not only to the state of Tamil Nadu, where it is located, but also the whole south of India.
Read more: http://voiceofrussia.com/news/2014_05_22/Russia-India-sign-deal-to-build-two-units-of-Kudankulam-NPP-9546/

Two space satellites for India to be made in Russia

Private sector cooperation between Russia and India received a boost on Wednesday July 16, when an agreement for the manufacture of two space satellites was signed between Dauria Aerospace and Bangalore-based Aniara Communications.
A contract on the on the design and production of the satellites was signed on the sidelines of the Farnborough International Airshow in the UK.

“Small satellites are an ideal solution if there is the lack of the needed volumes of satellite communication and broadcasting that India has at present,” Aniara President Raghu Das said.

“Small spacecraft make it possible to profitably service small markets that are unprofitable for heavier and costly geostationary systems,” Dauria Aerospace added in a statement.

Deputy head of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) Denis Lykov said that the agency supports new private players in the sector as this would improve Russia’s export potential. “The signing of the deal is an important step for the formation of Russia’s new space economy and we are ready to support such companies as Dauria Aerospace in the national market and outside it,” he said.

Dauria Aerospace is a multinational aerospace company providing global satellite-based remote sensing information services through the deployment of small satellite constellations. The company develops and manufactures new generation low-cost small satellites to bring Earth imaging data and communication services directly to its customers. Additionally, by using design innovation and leveraging the rapid technology advances in smallsat components, Dauria develops lower-cost and higher performing satellites. Dauria has two satellite development centres at NASA’s Research Park at Ames Research Centre in California and in Skolkovo, Russia.

In early July, Russia placed into orbit the first Russian private satellite DX1, made by Dauria Aerospace for the automatic ship location system.

Aniara was established in 2001 to advise and support global telecommunications and high technology enterprises expand their activities in emerging markets in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Aniara has offices in the United States and Bangalore, and concentrates on the communications and high technology industries and in particular the satellite sector, including satellite-based services and applications over fixed and mobile satellite systems and terrestrial networks. Aniara represents a variety of industry-recognised clients, including DTH and FTA broadcasters, telcos and carriers, system integrators, governments, and VSAT operators.

The companies did not disclose the deal value. Russia and India have set a trade target of $20 billion over the next few years, and have put the onus on the burgeoning private sector in both countries.

http://in.rbth.com/economics/2014/07/18/two_space_satellites_for_india_to_be_made_in_russia_36783.html