India and Russia value their regular Annual Summit as the principle vehicle to advance their strategic partnership in different directions. The just concluded Indo-Russian summit at Moscow in this regard was no exception, and in many ways has boosted our strategic partnership to a new stage and provided qualitatively new content to our time-tested multifaceted relations.

With successful completion of the recent Indo-Russian summit, the much-talked about chill prevailing in our relations during past couple of years has been relegated to the history. This summit became the third meeting between our leaders in the current year, and Manmohan Singh’s sixth visit to Russia since he took over as India’s prime minister, signifying intense nature of interaction. The extraordinary warmth prevailing over the visit and the special gesture shown by Russian president Dmitry Medvedev through hosting of a dinner at his Baravica country house for visiting Indian prime minister, a rare honour for any foreign dignitary no doubt, make the summit different from other recent bilateral summits dogged by controversies and misunderstandings. The summit is a milestone not only in terms of warm gesture, but also quite significant in substance.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to Moscow coming on the heels of his visit to Washington tempts one to compare the two summits, though each relationship perhaps stands on their own. At least our government wants us to believe that. Washington summit was rich in gesture, rhetoric but almost hollow in substance in contrast to Moscow summit that was rich both in gesture and content. India’s expectations from Washington summit were belied in contrast to the significant outcome of Moscow summit that boosted Indo-Russian strategic partnership to a new peak, prompting commentators to describe Moscow summit a path breaking one.

Out of the total six documents signed as a result of the summit, two agreements particularly in the area of civil nuclear and defense cooperation need special mention,and are in many ways path- breaking.

The break through, long term agreement on bilateral nuclear cooperation that seeks to expand our relations in this vital area in an unprecedented manner is devoid of any conditionality on India and provides guarantees against any curb in future. The agreement, hailed as ‘ major step forward in strengthening our existing cooperation in this field ‘by the Indian prime minister, stipulates setting up more nuclear reactors in India, transferring whole range of nuclear technologies and ensuring uninterrupted fuel supply indefinitely. The document paves the way for Indian access to Russian enrichment and refueling technology and equipments, and clears the deck for greater cooperation in joint research and development and design of next generation reactors, taking our cooperation in the sensitive sphere to qualitatively higher level.

The agreement gives reprocessing rights to India.Another advantage in the deal with Russia is that Russian reactors would be built under an advanced flow-line technology that reduce construction time and expenditure by 225-30%

The nuclear cooperation agreement with Russia is essentially different from 123 pact signed with the US that envisages not only ending of ongoing nuclear cooperation but also return of equipments and fuel supplied by US, in case the nuclear agreement is terminated. While the 123 pact with US is designed to keep India under US tender hook for ever, the agreement with Russia reflects mutual trust, goodwill, strategic nature of our time-tested relations. There is vast difference between the agreement signed with US in the sphere of nuclear cooperation and the one with Russia in the field. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev made it amply clear that Moscow will not accept any restriction imposed by any foreign country on its civil nuclear cooperation with Delhi under any pressure. Replying to a pointed question if Russia would continue unrestricted nuclear cooperation with India despite the G-8 resolution restricting the sale of reprocessing technologies to non-NPT countries, President Medvedev stressed that the ‘resolution does not change any thing in our cooperation’. Russia under the agreement is expected to build 12-14 reactors in India’s east cost.

Though US facilitated clean waiver for India at NSG, it is trying to impose restrictions on nuclear trade with India through G-8. Moscow that signed the historic document risking lot of possible rebuke and criticism at G-8, NSG and IAEA, once again demonstrated that it is our genuine strategic partner ; true and trusted friend for ever. Russia now should be treated as our preferred partner in the area in coming years.

The second document that draws attention is the framework agreement for augmentation of our vital defense cooperation, an important component of our strategic partnership, in the next decade covering the period up to 2020. The significance of the document lies in the fact that it would provide the basis and thrust to joint research, development and manufacturing in our defense cooperation- the new dimension in our defense relations. Joint development and manufacturing of fifth generation aircraft, multi-role transport aircraft, hyper sonic missile – a developed version of supersonic BrahMos etc are some of the big-ticket projects slated to be implemented under the pact. The agreement also looks for smooth post-sale service and maintenance of military hardware acquired by India from Russia- often a vexed issue in our ongoing defense cooperation.

Another key area in which our cooperation is likely to get impetus as a result of the Moscow summit is hydrocarbon. Moscow is destined to play a substantial role in ensuring our energy security. With our cooperation in nuclear field getting a boost in this direction, hydrocarbon is emerging another key area of vital cooperation for meeting our energy requirements. India has already invested 2.7 billion $ in Sakhalin oil and gas project, which is India’s largest investment abroad, and India has purchased Imperial Energy operating in Russia for 2.58 $, which has increased our profile in Russia’s vast energy sector. As a result of Indian Prime minister’s talk with President Medvedev and Prime Minister Putin both countries are poised to have enhanced cooperation in energy with India getting access to Trebs and Titov oil fields in Timan Pechora region. India stands fairly good chances to enter in to the huge Sakhalin-3 energy project if foreign participation would be permitted by Russian authorities, and India seems to have received a very positive response from Russian leadership on this score. ONGC Videsh Limited has entered into agreements with Russian oil and gas majors Rosneft and Gazprom for studying investment opportunities in the sector in both countries.

The long Joint Statement issued at the end of Moscow summit throws light on our cooperation on host of important issues of mutual concern.

As usual terrorism was at the top of the agenda in Moscow summit. The joint Statement emphasizes that both sides are convinced that the international community should enhance efforts to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,calling for an early adaptation of the Comprehensive convention on international terrorism. Both sides have expressed desire to further develop bilateral cooperation in combating new challenges and threats, including such cooperation within the framework of the Russia-India Working Group on combating international terrorism and agreed for greater intelligence sharing.

Obviously,in this context Afghanistan was discussed in the summit.Delhi and Moscow share similar views on Afghan issue. Both sides have emphasized that resurgence of the al-Qaeda and Taliban in Afghanistan threatens the progress made over the last few yeas. Noting that fight against terrorism can not be selective, both side believe that drawing false distinctions between ‘good’ and’ bad’ Taliban would be counter productive. India and Russia displayed a strong convergence on refuting the good Talban and bad Taliban formulation, describing it as a ‘facile’ and stressing the urgency of mopping up terrorist safe havens in Pakistan. Both countries dismiss the good Taliban theory that is seen as a bid to work a deal with a section of the terror outfit currently operating in Afghanistan from bases in Pakistan. A section of the us establishment seems to have been tempted to consider this option which has its backers in Pakistan. The good Taliban and bad Taliban theory is essentially a Pakistan trap to reinforce its hold over part of the terror out fits. The denunciation of the good Taliban argument ostensibly indicates a lack of patience with Pakistan’s move to differentiate the Taliban. The statement in this regard is remarkable for the manner in which it reflects a close synergy in Indo-Russia perspectives that has received a boost as a result of Moscow summit.

Delhi and Moscow had an intensive discussion on Af-Pak situation,and the convergence of views on the issue is an important part of deliberation s at Moscow summit. Both sides share concerns over Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal falling into ‘ wrong hands ‘, which was highlighted during Moscow talks. Both countries once again have reaffirmed their long term commitment to a democratic, pluralistic and stable Afghanistan.

The deliberations at Moscow touched China as well, and India explained the complexities of India’s relations with its giant neighbor. It seems both sides have exchanged views on issues related to China’s rise and its implication. In this context, Russia’sl support for India’s full membership in SCO is noteworthy. Russia has been advocating for India’s full membership in SCO for some time but the very mentioning of this position for the first time in the Joint Statement is interesting particularly in the back drop of known Chinese opposition to this proposal.

India and Russia have welcomed the progress registered by BRIC dialogue that plays increasingly important role in the development of multi-polar world and formation of just, democratic world order. They believe that the first stand alone BRIC Summit at Yekaterinburg in last June has provided it a clear direction for future growth and opened new vistas of cooperation in the coming years.

Delhi and Moscow welcoming enhanced interaction in the Russia-India- China(RIC) trilateral format, appreciated the exchange of views on regional and global issues,and called for greater exchange of information and ideas on current important issues for the benefit of peoples of three countries, and for peace and stability in the region. RIC had its ninth trilateral meeting of foreign ministers at Bangaluru in last October,and ninth track -11 academic meet in Delhi from 7th to 9th December this year at Delhi. Delhi and Moscow believe these track-1 and track-11 trilateral meetings help in improving understanding and strengthening peace and stability in the region.

The recent Moscow summit is no doubt a landmark event that has pushed our time-tested friendship and cooperation to a qualitatively new plateau and brought the two strategic partners closer.