Swaraj, Russian Deputy PM hold wide-ranging talks

In first high-level engagement after NDA government came to power, India and Russia today held wide-ranging talks covering entire gamut of bilateral relationships covering ties in key sectors like defence, trade, hydrocarbons and nuclear energy.
In the nearly four-hour-long talks between External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry O Rogozin, both sides agreed to give a fresh momentum to trade ties and decided to set up a study group to examine feasibility of a free trade agreement between India and the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan.
"There were detailed and extensive discussions on all aspects of our bilateral relationship. The talks were warm, cordial besides being wide ranging," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said.

The Indian side raised the issue of Russia's decision to sell Mi-35 attack helicopters to Pakistan.
"The question regarding our defence cooperation and any issues that impact this in terms of our concern were raised," the Spokesperson said, adding there was a detailed discussion on defence matters.
He said the principal focus of their interactions was on trying to improve the untapped potential between India and Russia in terms of the economic and commercial engagements.

"India sees Russia as a key partner for our energy security and there was a detailed discussion on possibilities of cooperation in the hydrocarbon sector as well as other areas of energy cooperation," the Spokesperson said.

Both Swaraj and Rogozin also deliberated on cooperation in nuclear energy sector, particularly issues relating to signing of a deal for unit 3 and 4 of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP).
The unit 1 of KNPP had attained full capacity of 1000 MW on June 7 while unit 2 is likely to attain criticality by the end of the year.