India, Russia to Ink Important Pacts during PM’s Moscow Visit
During Prime Minister Mammohan Singh’s two-day visit to Moscow, India and Russia are likely to sign a number of pacts, including those on extension of the long-term defence cooperation programme beyond 2010 and construction of four more nuclear reactors at Kudankulam.
Visiting Moscow at the invitation of President Dmitry Medvedev for the annual Indo-Russian summit, Singh is expected to discuss various issues during his meetings in Moscow such as defence cooperation, global financial crisis, situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan and fight against terrorism, said reports.
Two leaders would focus on key bilateral issues during their talks at the Kremlin on Monday. These issues include continuation of civilian nuclear cooperation beyond Kudankulam power plant and exploration of new vistas in the areas of space and knowledge-based economic projects.
After Kremlin talks, the two countries are expected to ink many bilateral pacts on the extension of long-term defence cooperation programme beyond 2010 and construction of four more nuclear reactors at the Kudankulam NPP, in addition to two 1,000 VVER light water reactors already being built by Russia, said reports.
According to reports, given the format of the Kremlin power structure, Singh is likely to hold talks with the Russian strongman, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on the concrete economic issues, including on some possible joint projects in pharmaceuticals and conventional energy.
On December 7, the Prime Minister will also attend the closing ceremony of the ‘Year of India in Russia’ at a gala show being organised in the new hall of Bolshoi Theatre.
The meeting of the CEOs Council would be the main event on the sidelines of the Prime Minister’s Moscow visit, indicating the two countries’ resolve to promote business-to-business ties.
