Russia to build more reactors, sign 5th generation jet deal

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http://economictimes.indiatimes.com...h-generation-jet-deal/articleshow/7119700.cms

NEW DELHI: India and Russia are set to sign over a dozen agreements, including a key pact on a fifth generation fighter aircraft and another one on expanding civil nuclear cooperation, during Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's two-day visit here next week.

Medvedev touches down here with a large business delegation and senior ministers Tuesday morning for an annual summit with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Manmohan Singh and Medvedev Tuesday will discuss a range of bilateral and international issues including the expansion of civil nuclear cooperation, economic ties and terrorism. He will go to Agra and Mumbai Wednesday.

In Mumbai, Medvedev will stay at the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower, one of the targets of attack by Pakistani terrorists in 2008, and pay homage to victims of the savagery.

More than 15 agreements will be signed during the visit.

Russian ambassador to India Alexander Kadakin Friday said the much-awaited deal on the joint production of the cutting edge jet fighter and an agreement on Russia building more nuclear reactors in India will be signed Tuesday after talks between Manmohan Singh and Medvedev.

According to a draft of the pact, Russia will share its technology with India for the fighter and both countries will design the aircraft jointly.

India and Russia are expected to ink an agreement on scientific cooperation to extend the existing framework by another decade. A bilateral pact to offer signals from the Glanost Satellite is under negotiation.

Kadakin said Russia was upbeat about building 14-16 nuclear reactors in India over the next few years, but asked New Delhi to bring its civilian nuclear liability legislation in line with global norms.

The two countries would ink an accord under which Russia would set up two more 1,000 MW units at Kudankulam.

"We are prepared for serial construction of nuclear units, at least 4-6 more units, at Kudankulam to meet India's growing energy needs."

He indicated that Russia might be allotted an alternate site in Orissa for setting up nuclear reactor.

"We have not received yet an explanation from the Indian side as to how it will work. So far we are working on the basis of agreements that we had signed before this bill was passed," Kadakin told reporters here.

"So far we do not think it will be an impediment. But we do think India will adhere to the international agreements it has signed. International agreements take supremacy over domestic laws," he said.

The envoy, however, underlined that the civil nuclear liability legislation will not be "a hurdle to expanding civil nuclear cooperation" and added that Russia was looking to build 14-16 nuclear reactors in India in the long term.

In October, India signed the Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage (CSC) to allay concerns of foreign suppliers, including the US.

India's nuclear liability legislation caps the operator's liability at Rs.1,500 crore ($331 million) and gives the operator the right to seek damages from suppliers if there is an accident.

Medvedev is expected to forcefully underline Moscow commitment to supporting New Delhi's bid for permanent membership in the UN Security Council.

"Our position is all along clear. As Foreign Minister (Sergei Lavrov) said, the whole world will benefit if India becomes the permanent member of the UN Security Council. I am surprised why the world is taking so long to realise it," said Kadakin. "We have been saying this for the last two decades."

Kadakin said officials from both sides were working on a serious and concentrated document that could map out the next steps in the Indo-Russian strategic partnership.

Representatives of the India and Russian business councils and the Indo-Russian CEOs Forum are scheduled to have meetings on the sidelines of the summit Monday and Tuesday.

Voicing concern over terrorism emanating from Pakistan as "cancer," the Russian envoy urged Islamabad to do away with 43 terrorist training camps and said cooperation in combating terrorism will figure in the talks.

 

[SHASH2K2]

Grooms aplenty, 'bride' India should pick right match: Russia​

NEW DELHI: Russia sees India as a bright and beautiful "bride", surrounded by many grooms but wants New Delhi to pick the "right match".

"India now seems to be a beautiful, radiant bride. There are so many bridegrooms always around, proposing their kind and.....well, India is Russia's sister, we want a very good match for her. But we are very much against if that bridegroom could deceive one day," Russian ambassador to India Alexander Kadakin told reporters here on Friday.

He was apparently referring to various world leaders visiting India for having partnership with New Delhi.

Asked about how he sees India-US ties, he said his country was not "jealous" of improving relations between the two. He said Russia was also in the process of expanding its relations with the US.


Read more: Grooms aplenty, 'bride' India should pick right match: Russia - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...Russia-/articleshow/7118321.cms#ixzz18OoNCgov

 

[p2prada]

Grooms aplenty, 'bride' India should pick right match: Russia​

Then, I pick Polygamy.

 

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Russia's turn to scout for business​

After the Americans and the Chinese, it is the turn of the Russians to scout for business during their President Dmitry Medvedev's visit to India from Monday night.

Russia will link the opening of its strategic gas and oil reserves to India to its gaining orders for its extra large turbines and heavy machinery in a departure from its traditional emphasis on armament exports, diplomatic sources said.

Defence deals

While Russia will also be pitching for defence deals, it wants to make a big splash in non-traditional areas of exports, by calling for quid pro quo in considering a stake for ONGC Videsh in the Trebs and Titov fields in north-eastern Russia.

An earlier attempt by the Indian public sector company to partner AFK Sistema's owner Vladimir Yevtushenko was rejected on the grounds that its financial credentials were not good enough to undertake a project of such a magnitude.

Incidentally, Mr. Yevtushenko is co-chairperson of the India-Russia CEOs Forum and considered close to the Kremlin. The initial partnership agreement between the Sistema chief's company Bashneft and ONGC Videsh was struck during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to Moscow in December last.

Basically, Russia wants to diversify its exports to India, which have stuck in a groove, and give it a healthy trade surplus. Now Russia largely exports manufactured fertilizers, iron and steel, petroleum crude, non-ferrous metals, transport equipment, coal and newsprint.

As diplomats point out, with Mr. Medvedev scheduled to arrive in a couple of days, top leaders of all permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (P-5) would have visited India this year.

All of them, beginning with David Cameron of Britain, had a common wish list: to scout for business opportunities in India. Going by the official briefing, Mr. Medvedev wants to follow suit.

Though trade with Russia has tripled in five years, the target set till the year-end will be missed: it is likely to be $9.8 billion or $200 million against the target of $10 billion. Both countries now hope to double this figure over the next five years.

Fighter aircraft deal

In the defence sector, an agreement for the fifth generation fighter aircraft will be signed; it is said to be worth $295 million for the first phase.

More defence deals are likely to be signed, but they may not be announced owing to strategic reasons.