External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is on a five-day official visit to Russia.
During this time today (Wednesday) he met Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. The two leaders discussed increasing bilateral cooperation in many areas including defense technology.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, in the meeting with Jaishankar, has offered support and help in the production of military products under India’s ‘Made in India’ initiative.
Establishment of Chennai-Vladivostok route
Lavrov said he and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar have taken several steps to expand cooperation between India and Russia, including the production of military equipment and the launch of the North-South International Transport Corridor as well as the Chennai-Vladivostok. Also includes setting up the route.
Addressing a press conference after the meeting with Jaishankar, Lavrov said, “We also discussed the prospects of military and technical cooperation, including joint production of modern weapons. We also have specific steps in this area. “Our cooperation is of a strategic nature, strengthening it is in line with the national interests of both countries and the interests of security in the Eurasian continent.”
Global demand for India’s military products
Lavrov has offered technical help in the Make in India program at a time when the demand for many Indian defense products has increased in countries around the world.
These defense equipment include BrahMos supersonic missile to Akash missile and Tejas aircraft. These also include Pinaka rocket launcher and 155 mm advanced towed artillery gun.
According to the Defense Ministry, a 23-fold increase has been recorded in defense exports. Indian design and development capabilities of defense equipment now reach more than 85 countries.
Relations between India and Russia are very strong and stable.
Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar said relations between India and Russia are “extremely strong, extremely stable.” He discussed bilateral cooperation in various fields, international strategic situation, war and tensions with his Russian counterpart. Jaishankar, who came to Russia on a five-day visit, said in the initial conversation that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin have been talking to each other from time to time.
He said the two leaders have had the opportunity to interact with each other several times and regularly through forums such as the G20, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, ASEAN, and BRICS.
Jaishankar said, “Our relations are very strong, very stable. And I think we have lived up to a special and privileged strategic partnership. This year we have already met six times and this is the seventh meeting.”
Hope to participate in Vibrant Gujarat Conference
Jaishankar said that this year both sides witnessed different expressions of cooperation. “We are very pleased to see continued progress and look forward to strong participation from Russia at the Vibrant Gujarat conference in January,” he said.
Lavrov said that relations between India and Russia are very long standing and very good, adding that it is heartening to see that they are continuously progressing in the present times.
A day earlier on Tuesday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar signed “some very important” agreements with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov related to the construction of future power generation units of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant in Tamil Nadu.
During this meeting, agreements related to nuclear energy and drugs, pharmaceutical substances and medical devices were also signed. Described as ‘comprehensive and creative’.
Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant being built with Russian cooperation
Let us tell you that Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant is being built in Tamil Nadu with the technical assistance of Russia. Its construction started in March 2002.
The first power unit of the Kudankulan Nuclear Power Plant has been in continuous operation since February 2016, with a design capacity of 1,000 MW. The plant is expected to begin operating at full capacity in 2027. During the meeting, Jaishankar also noted progress with Russia in trade, finance, connectivity, energy, civil aviation and nuclear sectors.
In his address to the Indian community, he described Russia as a “special partner” in some areas like defence, nuclear energy and space. “Cooperation in the areas of defence, space and nuclear (energy) is done with countries with whom you have a high level of trust,” he said.
Jaishankar also said both sides have agreed that their negotiating teams will meet by the end of January to begin individual talks on a free trade agreement between India and the Eurasian Economic Zone.
Responding to questions at the event, he said, “Today, when I met the Russian Deputy Prime Minister, we agreed that our negotiating teams will meet early next year. So I hope that by the end of January we will sit face to face and start talks.”
On a question on the payment problem between Russia and India, the Foreign Minister said that in any unusual situation, we are looking for ways by which banks can transact with each other.