Prime Minister Dr.Manmohan Singh is now on his way to Moscow for a 3 day visit to Russia. He will attend the 12th annual Indo-Russian Summit to be held tomorrow.
In an interview to Russian media, Dr. Manmohan Singh called for strengthening India-Russia economic partnership. He said that new ideas including creating a joint investment fund need to be explored to realize the full potential of economic relationship between the two countries.
He also advocated for studying a comprehensive economic cooperation agreement with the broader Eurasian region enhancing connectivity and linking Indian states with Russian regions. Dr. Singh said that he will build upon these proposals during his discussions with Russian leadership.
The Prime Minister said that the cooperation between India and Russia in the nuclear field will fulfill its commitments. He referred to the nuclear commerce Russia had with India when there were restrictions over it. Dr. Singh said India is according highest priority to nuclear safety and has set up an independent group of experts to respond to genuine concerns and fears of people living around Kudunkalam nuclear power plant. Dr. Singh said that defence cooperation is an important pillar of the bilateral strategic partnership and Russia is India's largest supplier of defence equipment. The Prime Minister added that the relationship has changed from buyer-seller to that of being partners in joint developmental systems and research and development.
On the integrated long term programme for cooperation in the field of science and technology, the Prime Minister said that the two countries are working to put in place a system to ensure rapid commercialization of research and development. This includes the establishment of India-Russia Centres of Science and Technology in each others country.
Dr. Manmohan Singh referred to the global economic slowdown and said that the two countries have convergence of views on tackling the problem. He said cooperation within BRICS, situation in West Asia and Africa and the challenges in Afghanistan are some other important international issues on which the two nations have similar views.
