India, Russia to discuss nuclear energy, defence cooperation

Cooperation in civil nuclear energy, defence and higher education will be among the top issues that will be discussed between the two sides, when President Pranab Mukherjee meets his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin during his visit to Moscow beginning tomorrow.
Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar also said that during Mukherjee's visit to Russia, where he will attend the 70th Victory Day celebrations on May 9, India may raise the issue of Russia's move to supply arms to Pakistan.
"We often call India-Russia relations as time-tested and trusted. The relation is very deep. Average Indians have high regard for Russia. We have the strongest strategic relations with Russia and our defence cooperation is very solid.

"We have a very robust system to resolve all bilateral matters. All topical bilateral issues will come up during the bilateral meeting between our President and President Putin. But I am hesitating to predict," Jaishankar said when asked whether India will raise the issue of Russia's move to supply arms to Pakistan.
The Foreign Secretary said during the visit of Putin to India in December 2014, both the countries had decided to set up joint working groups for civil nuclear cooperation and the issue is expected to figure during the bilateral talks.
Asked whether there were any "hiccups" in concluding the pact, Jaishankar said "there is no obstacle" as already one joint working group has been set up and efforts were on to find out mutually acceptable framework for it.

He said during Mukherjee's visit, nine Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) will be signed between the two sides of which eight were related to higher education.
Jaishankar said a total of 16 Presidents, several Vice-Presidents and Prime Minister will participate in the celebrations of Russia's victory in World War II against the Nazis.
An Indian Army contingent will also participate the Victory Day celebration in Moscow.