(Source: Press Information Bureau India; issued September 29, 2008)
The Defence Minister Shri AK Antony has described the outcome of the 8th Meeting of IRIGC-MTC in New Delhi on Monday as 'a landmark event in the close and strategic bilateral relations between India and Russia'. Speaking at a banquet hosted by him in honour of the visiting Russian Defence Minister Mr Anatoly Serdyukov here last night, Shri Antony said the Meeting, as in previous years, discussed issues relating to regional and global peace and security.
"This is an important event not only between the Defence Ministries of the two countries but also a landmark event in our close and strategic bilateral relations and an important step in maintaing regional and global peace and security", he said.
Shri Antony expressed confidence that the defence relations between India and Russia are bound to grow manifold and called for evolving a holistic defence partnership.
"Given the warmth of the cordiality and complete understanding between the leadership of both our countries, I have no doubt that our defence relations are bound to grow manifold. We need to work towards developing a mutually beneficial defence relationship which is holistic in content and scope."
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Serdyukov echoed the sentiments expressed by Shri Antony. He expressed satisfaction at the grounds covered at the Meeting of the IRIGC-MTC though his visit to New Delhi was a short one.
The Russian Defence Minister has since returned to Moscow. (ends)
Indo-Russian Strategic Cooperation Arrangement Extended by Ten More Years
(Source: Press Information Bureau India; issued September 29, 2008)
India and Russia today took a significant step in cementing their strategic ties as they agreed to extend the tenure of the Indo-Russian Inter-Governmental Commission on Military Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-MTC) by another ten years on the expiry of its present term in 2010.
After signing the protocol on IRIGC-MTC here today with his Russian counterpart, the Defence Minister Shri AK Antony, at a joint press conference, said that an apex committee will be formed to iron out problems on a fast-track basis on different issues related to ongoing and proposed projects for acquisition, joint development and production, joint defence R&D and interaction between the defence forces of both countries including joint exercises.
He further said that the apex committee, jointly headed by Defence Secretaries of both countries, would meet at least once in six months and its first meeting will be held in Moscow before the visit of the Russian President in December 2008.
Describing Russia as a 'trusted partner' Shri Antony said Indo-Russian relations have stood the test of time. Replying to a question on the existing bilateral defence cooperation, he said that it has been decided to procure 347 T-90 tanks from Russia. Another 1,000 tanks would be manufactured in India under transfer of technology. (Emphasis added—Ed.)
On the delay in acquisition of Gorshkov aircraft carrier, Shri Antony said the Indian side has considered the Russian demand for an escalation in price. “The same has been considered and would be placed before the cabinet for consideration,” he added.
The Russian Defence Minister Mr. Anatoly Serdyukov said the defence ties between the two countries are transforming from a vendor-seller relationship to joint development and production partnership. .
Earlier, in his opening remarks to the IRIGC-MTC, Shri Antony stressed on the need to promote joint exercises, training and frequent exchange of delegations. “The early conclusion of the Status of Forces Agreement would provide the framework to hold mutually beneficial joint exercises regularly,” he added. Shri Antony pointed out that defence cooperation remains the cornerstone of Indo-Russian bilateral relations. “A major part of our defence inventory is of Russian origin, and continues to remain so even now,” he said.
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