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India, Ukraine Joint Statement
New Delhi, December 11, 2012
Following is the Joint Statement issued here yesterday during the state visit of Ukraine President Viktor Yanukovych to India on "Forging a Comprehensive Partnership between India and Ukraine":
His Excellency Mr. Viktor Yanukovych, the President of Ukraine is paying a State Visit to India from 09-12 December 2012 at the invitation of the President of India. President Yanukovych is accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising ministers, senior officials and leading representatives of the Ukrainian business community. During his stay in New Delhi, President Yanukovych held bilateral meetings with the President of India, H.E. Mr. Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister H.E. Dr. Manmohan Singh. The Vice-President of India, H.E. Mr. Hamid Ansari, External Affairs Minister H.E. Mr. Salman Khurshid and the Leader of the Opposition H.E. Mrs. Sushma Swaraj called on the Ukrainian President. The Ukrainian dignitary also addressed the Indo-Ukrainian Business Forum jointly hosted by the apex Indian chambers of commerce, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India. President Yanukovych is also visiting the city of Bengaluru.
The two sides signed agreements in the fields of legal assistance, defence cooperation, science and technology, nuclear safety and standardisation.
The two sides held detailed discussions in a friendly atmosphere, reviewed the status of bilateral cooperation and exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest. They noted the significance of the visit, marking twenty years of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Ukraine. The sides acknowledged the accumulated potential of cooperation over the past decade and noted that President Yanukovich's discussions with the Indian leadership had infused fresh vigour into the bilateral relationship. They agreed on having regular high level political contacts to maintain the momentum generated by the visit.
The two sides agreed on the imperative to develop a meaningful relationship of bilateral engagement by better leveraging significant complementarities existing between the two countries in key areas of mutual interest, such as civil nuclear cooperation, defence and space technology, fertilizers, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, agriculture and food security, industrial engineering and mining. They agreed to enhance interaction at the political, official and business levels to achieve this objective. Given the existing enormous potential to enhance ties between the countries, the two sides felt that it was time for India and Ukraine to forge a comprehensive partnership and agreed to draw up a joint action plan for this purpose.
Trade and Economy
The two sides reviewed the current level of bilateral trade of around USD three billion and noted the significant growth of nearly 50% in 2012 as compared to 2010. They agreed to make all-round joint efforts to enhance the bilateral trade further. Both sides also took note of the decisions taken during the fourth session of the India-Ukraine Intergovernmental Commission held in June this year in Kyiv. They agreed to streamline the existing mechanism for trade and economic dialogue on a regular basis and reaffirmed their intention to boost bilateral investment. They emphasised the need for the Intergovernmental Commission to meet regularly on an annual basis and directed that its fifth session be held in 2013 in New Delhi. The sides further directed that all constituent working groups of the Intergovernmental Commission should meet before its next session. The two sides agreed that there was a need to facilitate broader engagement and more active contacts between business persons. In this context, the Indian side stressed the need to facilitate business visas.
The two sides noted that the current level of bilateral investment did not reflect the true potential of the commercial relationship and underlined the need for an active dialogue at the government and business levels on a regular basis to realize the enormous potential for bilateral investment flows and technology transfers. Recognizing the technological and engineering prowess of Ukraine and flagging India's liberalized policy of attracting foreign investment, the Indian side invited the Ukrainian side to consider investing in India's infrastructure development and the modernisation of its industries, especially in the steel and power sectors. The Ukrainian side raised the issue of market economy status for Ukraine in the context of anti-dumping proceedings. The Indian side stated that this issue was under examination.
Nuclear Sector
The two sides welcomed the signing of the agreement between the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board of India and the State Nuclear Regulatory Committee of Ukraine. They also emphasized the central role of the IAEA in strengthening international standards on nuclear safety. The Ukrainian side welcomed the assistance given by the Government of India to Ukraine in mitigating the impact of the Chernobyl tragedy, especially the grant of USD 1 million, which was announced during the Kyiv Summit for Safe & Innovative Use of Nuclear Energy in April 2011.
Defence Sector
The two sides welcomed the signing of the defence cooperation agreement and expressed confidence that this would open new vistas of cooperation especially in the areas of research and development; joint design and development of systems and equipment; export to third countries; and transfer of technology. The agreement would also facilitate regular dialogue between the two sides in new areas of cooperation and smooth implementation of ongoing projects.
Space sector
The sides expressed satisfaction over the growing cooperation between their space establishments, particularly in the area of semi-cryogenic engine technology for large lift-off capacities. The sides noted the successful implementation of the framework agreement signed in 2005 and expressed the confidence that this cooperation would continue to grow.
Fertilizers
Both sides agreed that there was enormous scope for cooperation in the field of fertilizers of which Ukraine is one of the leading producers and India one of the leading importers. Both sides agreed to explore the possibility of long term mutually beneficial cooperation in this regard and noted that active discussions between the relevant government agencies and private entities were ongoing. The two sides agreed, in particular, to facilitate India's investment in the field of chemical fertilizers in the territory of Ukraine.
Pharmaceuticals
The Ukrainian side appreciated the contribution of the Indian pharmaceutical industry to the health sector of Ukraine where it ranks amongst the top suppliers of cost effective and quality medicines. The Ukrainian side acknowledged the positive response of the Indian side in assisting it to meet with health emergencies. Both sides agreed that cooperation in the pharmaceutical sector would continue to play an important part in their bilateral relations. The sides discussed the setting up of joint ventures and establishing medical standards. The Ukrainian side welcomed the further inflow of Indian investments in the pharmaceuticals sector. The sides agreed to study the issue of streamlining the process of registration of Indian pharmaceutical products and facilitating access to the Ukrainian market.
Science and Technology
Both sides welcomed the conclusion of the bilateral agreement for cooperation in science and technology. They noted with satisfaction that 10 joint research and development projects are being implemented under the Programme of Cooperation in Science & Technology for the period 2012-14 in the areas of astrophysics, renewable energy, chemistry, materials science, medical science and biotechnology. The two sides confirmed their readiness to hold the sixth joint meeting of the India-Ukrainian Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation in 2013 and to facilitate regular exchanges of young Indian and Ukrainian scientists.
Education and Culture
The Ukrainian side welcomed the establishment of the ICCR Chair of Indian Studies at the Institute of International Relations of the Taras Shevchenko National University in Kyiv. The two sides agreed that it was essential to promote regular exchange of academics and encourage study of topics of mutual interest which would serve to deepen mutual cooperation and understanding. They agreed to further enhance the cultural links between the friendly peoples of the two countries. The sides agreed to hold the Days of Ukrainian Culture in India in 2013 and the Days of Indian Culture in Ukraine in 2014.
Recognizing that the number of Indians studying in Ukraine has grown considerably over the past five years, with more than 3500 Indian scholars pursuing higher studies, the two sides agreed to negotiate and conclude agreements for mutual recognition of medical and non-medical degrees and to promote mutual educational exchanges. The Indian side requested the Ukrainian side to facilitate the issue of visas to Indian students and also their registration by local authorities.
The two sides welcomed the scholarships made available by India under its Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation programme as also those offered through the Indian Council for Cultural Relations in diverse fields.
Facilitation of travel
The two sides welcomed the entry into force of the inter-governmental agreement on visa free travel for diplomatic passport holders as a major step towards a comprehensive visa facilitation regime between the two countries. They agreed to consider extending similar facility for holders of official passports. Both sides agreed to start discussions on draft texts of agreements on visa simplification and on social and other issues related to migration and to submit the relevant information on action taken to the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Commission.
UN Security Council
The two sides expressed their commitment to intensified negotiations on UN Security Council reform, including the expansion of permanent and non-permanent categories of its members so as to better reflect contemporary geopolitical realities. The sides noted that the G-4 proposal for reform and expansion of the UN Security Council also includes enhanced representation of Eastern European states among the non-permanent members.
The Ukrainian side expressed support for India's candidature for permanent membership in an expanded UN Security Council. The Indian side expressed its support for the candidature of Ukraine for a non-permanent seat of the UN Security Council for the term 2016-2017.
Nuclear non-proliferation
Acknowledging India's track record, Ukraine welcomed India's efforts to contribute to global non-proliferation regimes, including its aspirations to obtain membership in international export control regimes and the Nuclear Suppliers' Group.
Counter terrorism efforts
Both sides stressed the need to strengthen the international legal regimes to fight terrorism and, in this context, called for early adoption of a UN Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism. Condemning extremism in all its forms and committing to continue to counter global terrorism, the sides agreed to work together to address this challenge. Reaffirming that international terrorism is a threat to global peace and security, the sides condemned those who support terrorism and underscored that those aiding, abetting and sheltering terrorists were as guilty of acts of terrorism as their actual perpetrators. They stressed the need to work jointly towards eliminating the menace of terrorism including exchange of information, data, financing of terrorism and related matters.
The Indian side thanked the Ukrainian side for its constant support in its fight against terrorism and for condemning the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attack. The Ukrainian side agreed that all those involved in this heinous crime should be swiftly brought to justice, wherever they may be.
Situation in Afghanistan
Both sides supported the emergence of a peaceful, democratic and prosperous Afghanistan. In this context, they underlined the need to effectively combat the menace of terrorism. The two sides supported the transition of security and governance currently under way in Afghanistan and called for capacity building of the Afghan National Security Forces and other institutions. Both sides supported an Afghan-led, inclusive and transparent peace process that adheres to the red lines agreed to by the Government of Afghanistan and the international community, i.e. respect for Afghan constitution, renunciation of violence and terrorism, and severance of ties with terrorist organizations.
Situation in the Middle East
The two sides discussed a range of regional and international issues of mutual concern including the conflict in Syria.
The two sides expressed concern at the deteriorating security situation and continued violence in Syria. They called on all the parties to stop the violence and engage in an all inclusive national dialogue in order to resolve the conflict through peaceful political means on the internationally approved basis of the UN Security Council Resolutions 2042 and 2043 and the Joint Communiqué of the Geneva Action Group.
The two sides expressed satisfaction at the candid and comprehensive exchange of views on global, regional and bilateral matters. They agreed to further intensify this dialogue.
The President of Ukraine thanked the Indian leadership for the warm hospitality extended to him and the accompanying delegation. He invited the President and the Prime Minister of India to visit Ukraine. The invitations were accepted with gratitude.
India, Ukraine Joint Statement | NetIndian
