Russia to build 12 N-reactors in India, sell MiG-29Ks

Giving a fillip to their ties, India and Russia today signed 19 pacts, including three in the civil nuclear field and one for purchase of 29 MiG-29K fighters, besides inking the revised agreement on the Gorshkov aircraft carrier, a deal stuck for three years over price.

Under the civil nuclear agreements, Russia would build 12 atomic plants — six in Kudankulam, Tamil Nadu, and six in Haripur in West Bengal.

The agreements were signed during the day-long visit of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, who held comprehensive talks with his counterpart, Manmohan Singh, to further boost relations.

They also discussed regional issues, including Afghanistan and Pakistan, in the context of terrorism and agreed to intensify their consultations on Afghanistan, the challenges posed by terrorism and extremism in the region.

The pacts in the civil nuclear field are an agreement on cooperation in the use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes and agreement on a road map for the serial construction of Russian designed nuclear power plants.

An MoU was also signed on nuclear power between NPCIL and Atomstroy Export for construction of the third and fourth atomic plant at Kudankulum.

The revised agreement on the Gorshkov aircraft carrier was also signed. The deal had initially been signed in 2004 at a cost of $1.5 billion, along with 16 MiG-29Ks. However, the Russians later demanded $2.9 billion, citing escalation of costs. After protracted negotiations, the two sides settled at $2.34 billion.

The two sides also signed an agreement for sale of MiG-29K aircraft carrier-based fighters by Russia to India under a $1.5 billion contract. The supplies are scheduled to start in 2012.

An agreement was also signed in the military aviation sector.

In the hydrocarbon sector, an agreement on cooperation was signed between ONGC and Russia's Gazprom.

An MoU was signed between Isro and Russia's Federal Space Agency and JSC Navigation Information Systems for a joint enterprise for production of Satellite navigation euipment and services for civilian users.

Two pacts were signed in the field of fertilisers and five pacts in the diamond sector.

Describing the outcome of Putin's visit as “rich and very substantive”, Singh said he had told the visiting Prime Minister that relations with Russia are “a key pillar of our foreign policy and we regard Russia as a trusted and reliable strategic partner. Ours is a relationship that not only stands independent of any other but whose significance has grown over time”.

Reciprocating the sentiments, Putin noted that unlike many other countries, Russia does not have any military cooperation with Pakistan because "we bear in mind the concerns of our Indian friends" with regard to terrorism.

Hailing Putin as “great friend of India” and architect of the strategic partnership between India and Russia, Singh said, “We owe a deep sense of gratitude to him for bringing our two countries so close to each other.” In turn, Putin described Singh as a “long-time friend”.

Singh said finalisation of the important and long- pending defence cooperation agreements would “deepen our longstanding partnership in this vital sector”.

Referring to their detailed discussion on regional and global issues, Singh said “there is much that India and Russia can do together to advance global peace and stability and the process of global economic revival”.

He said the two countries agreed to intensify consultations on Afghanistan and the challenges posed by terrorism and extremism in the region.

“I am very happy to state that my discussions with Prime Minister Putin have reinforced the strong ties of friendship that bind our two countries together,” Singh said.

Putin, on his fifth visit here, said a lot has been done in bilateral relations in recent years and both sides have a positive attitude to find new avenues of cooperation.

Putin said Russia had made progress in development of 5th generation fighter aircraft and joint efforts with India could yield better results.