Russian Ambassador: Russia remains the leading partner of India in the field of military-technical cooperation
http://ria.ru/interview/20160628/1453605706.html
Russia remains the leading partner of India in the field of military-technical cooperation, in spite of "some leeway" in New Delhi in the direction of Washington. A sounding the last message time that the Russian press on the arms market in India, are a bluff and an injection of information. In an interview with the special correspondent of RIA Novosti Tatyana Kalmykova he told Russian Ambassador to India Alexander Kadakin.
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Next year will anniversary - the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries. How do you assess the current level of political cooperation between Russia and India? Is there room to grow? What measures are planned in connection with the auspicious occasion?
- Of course, this will be widely celebrated solid date and in Russia, and India. Preparing to take place in New Delhi and in major Indian cities, a series of joint events - seminars, conferences, exhibitions and various cultural events, including film festivals and concerts. The plans - edition commemorative album, reflecting the major milestones rich history of relations between our countries.
70th anniversary - this is certainly a special occasion to reflect on what was the impetus to the historic step of establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries in April 1947 - even before the liberation of India from colonial oppression. In my view, the key factor was the centuries of mutual attraction of our countries and peoples to each other. "It reaches the heart of India's vast Russia Pulls great Indian magnet Russian heart." - So poetically about this unique phenomenon, wrote an outstanding Russian artist and philosopher Nicholas Roerich. I remind both his deep determination: "India - not a foreign land, and the sister of Russia."
As in the old days, for seventy years passed way spiritual, cultural attraction serves as the core of the Russian-Indian understanding, defining a critical, inseparable triad of our friendship and cooperation - mutual respect, mutual trust, mutual benefit. We are proud to state that for this long period, no internal socio-political upheavals and tragedies, or tectonic shifts in the global arena could not shake the foundations of the Russian-Indian friendship, has become deeply rooted folk tradition, or blur the national consensus that has emerged in both countries. That's why our relationship is a model that has no analogues in the world diplomatic history and practice of XX and XXI centuries, and naturally characterized today as a particularly privileged strategic partnership.
This is confirmed both by the level of political interaction in the international arena, as well as the scale of ongoing joint affairs - whether it's the most powerful of operating in India "Kudankulam" nuclear power plant, the second unit which must these days to start feeding electricity into the national grid, or the development and production of the world's best supersonic cruise missile "Brahmos", the latest modification that has recently successfully completed the first flight test in a future shock weapons Su-30MKI. I emphasize that today no other country in the world is not divided so generously with anyone its most advanced developments, such as Russia. It is an undeniable and indisputable fact. And all deceitful figures that Russia allegedly pushed on the arms market - it is a pure bluff and unscrupulous competitors failed stuffing information.
Among the important trends of the last period marked by high intensity of contacts in the oil and gas sector. In Russia active Indian company ONGC Videsh Ltd. - Implemented the project "Sakhalin-1" and a plan to develop oil fields in the Tomsk region, along with other Indian partners are preparing for increased participation in the development of the Vankor field in cooperation with PJSC "NC" Rosneft "and increase their share in the project to 49.9 %. The parties also signed an agreement of purchase and sale of 29.9% stake in OOO "TAAs-Yuryakh Oil and Gas". in turn, "Rosneft" has reached an agreement on the terms and structure of the transaction by entering into equity Essar Oil Limited Indian company.
Come mutually beneficial contacts and in other areas. In particular, a mechanism that allows to switch to the use of national currencies in mutual settlements. Boost the creation of a reliable and efficient infrastructure of the international transport corridor "North-South", which will significantly reduce the time of delivery of the goods and the cost of transportation between Russia and India. We discuss the creation of a free trade area between the EAEC and India. We are working on updating the Russian-Indian agreement on the protection and the promotion of mutual investments. All these steps will create an entirely new environment for building fruitful cooperation, not only bilaterally but also in the regional dimension. We should also mention progress in inter-regional cooperation, including regular business missions of Russian regions in the largest cities in India.
Of course, this is no time to rest on our laurels achieved in seven decades. The potential of the Russian-Indian trade and economic, scientific-technical and cultural cooperation is not disclosed in full. There are plenty of opportunities to its substantial capacity and diversification. The interests of both countries - and it's President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi affirmed during a meeting June 24, 2016 "on the margins" of the SCO summit in Tashkent - orient us to the fact that boldly develop existing and new product lines, mechanisms of innovative communication and investment opportunities, forward-looking, including projects with the active involvement of the private sector, the expansion of direct contacts between Russian and Indian regions.
Speaking about the upcoming anniversary, it is appropriate to recall the good word of diplomats, the continuity of which the works we strive in every way to preserve and multiply. Our colleagues have made an invaluable contribution to the formation of guidelines, consolidation of Russian-Indian cooperation, which has become a powerful factor and an effective instrument of international policy. Of particular note is the Treaty of Peace, Friendship and Cooperation in 1971, the 45th anniversary of which we will celebrate together on 9 August. In this series, and the Declaration on nuclear-free and non-violent world of 1986, as well as the fundamental Delhi Declaration on strategic partnership in 2000, signed in the first year of my previous tenure as ambassador. These documents have created unprecedented precedents in world diplomacy, broke new construction principles of international relations, an effective response to modern challenges and threats. Experience helps us to fruitful cooperation in multilateral formats, work on the construction of a more balanced and just world order.
- During the recent visit of the Indian Prime Minister Modi in the US makes a loud statement about the friendship between the two countries, Obama has expressed support for India's entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group. In addition, the US president has promised to increase Washington's cooperation with India in the field of military-technical cooperation to the status of primary defense partner. Whether this trend will affect Russian-Indian relations? Are there any concerns that the US displace Russia from India, or should we not be afraid?
- Indeed, in recent years we have seen a fairly rapid development of Indo-US relations. There are many areas where the interests of the two countries coincide. India - a rising world power with dynamic economic growth (and, to date, the world's highest figure of 7.6%), growing demand and enormous human resources - no doubt very attractive to many countries that have every reason to stare at it as a "rich bride." In turn, the Modi government facing large-scale practical problems associated with the provision of accelerated modernization of the country, largely explains the interest of New Delhi to foreign investment and advanced technologies, including in terms of increasing its own defense capabilities. This, of course, leads to increased competition for the Indian market. Active overseas partners in the Indian direction is motivated by a desire not only to seize a tidbit of this big cake, but also to try to enlist the participation of India in the implementation of far-reaching their own strategic plans in the region.
It sounded loud and promises, including the appropriation of India's status as a global partner in the field of defense. But, as they say in Russia, promise - does not mean to marry. Anyway, the first attempt to make a move in the indicated direction gave reason to doubt the possibility of rapid implementation of high promises: the Senate has not approved an amendment to the legislation that would allow India to revise the terms of the latest technology.
From all other countries we, Russia, are different in one, but fundamentally important aspect - honesty and sincerity. In our affairs is not a double bottom. Russia has always been, is and will be sincerely interested in strengthening power, global position and prestige of India as a powerful, independent and friendly state. It is this we want to see India. This clearly shows the entire history of Russian-Indian relations. In the changing world of attractive bride, of course, worthy of myself to choose their partners. But when Indian friends ask me, whether in Moscow in this respect concerns, I try to reassure them that Russia is not jealous of her sister India to those who it woos, but warns against excessive credulity that potential "suitors" or newfound partners not deceived inflated hopes and expectations.
To speak of the fact that a drift toward US threatens historically friendly and trusting relationship between Russia and India, it would be, to put it mildly, an exaggeration. Russia has been and remains the leading partner of India in key sectors such as the peaceful atom and the military-technical cooperation. On the whole, the immutable principles of a balanced New Delhi's foreign policy are not intended to deepen relations with one player at the expense of another. This was in relation to Russia repeatedly stated Indian leaders, both former and current. This, incidentally, applies to the participation of New Delhi in the activities of multilateral mechanisms, and to regional crises.
As for the support of New Delhi on the world stage, in particular, to join the NSG, it is not only the US but Russia and many other countries believe that adherence to this regime of India as a responsible power with an impeccable reputation in the NPT, has developed a national export control system, will contribute to strengthening the global non-proliferation efforts.
- In the short term expected official entry of India into the SCO as a full member. What India can contribute to the interaction of the SCO? How can this help the development of Russian-Indian relations?
- The entry of India into the SCO - a very important event. At the summit in Tashkent signed a memorandum on the obligations of India and Pakistan as a new full member of the organization. Now you need to go through a number of procedures, including the accession of both countries to the regulatory framework of the SCO to the next Summit of Heads of State in 2017, this process was completed in Astana.
Again emphasize that India has a solid economic potential and growing global and regional influence. Her interests fully coincide with the goals of the organization to ensure stability in the Eurasian space, the development of cooperation in the fight against new threats, primarily emanating from the territory of Afghanistan, the expansion of contacts in the interbank and investment cooperation, deepening of interconnectivity. As stated in Tashkent Prime Minister Modi, New Delhi is ready to contribute to countering the challenges facing our common region, and reducing barriers to the movement of goods, services, capital and people. In this context, a very promising is the prospect of combining the integration of efforts between the SCO and ASEAN EAEC.
And, of course, in this context, we expect to build a Russian-Indian regional cooperation not only in the mentioned areas, but also on the functioning of ITC "North-South", to promote the restoration of peace and development of Afghanistan and many other issues.
- Do you think that the entry of India and Pakistan to the SCO will help resolve bilateral disputes in these countries and will contribute to the normalization of relations?
- SCO is not engaged in the settlement of bilateral disputes. Moreover, one of the conditions for the organization of India and Pakistan was that they should not make available between the contentious issues on the agenda of the association. Partners in New Delhi and Islamabad, despite the unresolved problems of the border, and other advanced topics in their relationship, accept this condition. At this stage, they are working to normalize relations, including the harmonization of the launch of the Comprehensive Dialogue, on the basis of their experience and documented principles of non-interference.
At the same time we hope that the joint work of the SCO India and Pakistan will create favorable conditions for the expansion of contacts and building trust between them.
- How do you assess the cooperation between India and Russia in the fight against international terrorism? Are there any plans to strengthen and expand cooperation in this area? Is interest in the Indian parties to exercise?
- In the fight against terrorism, India - one of our key partners. We work closely with each other and, in the framework of relevant multilateral mechanisms. There is cooperation between special services and law enforcement agencies, bilateral working group on the fight against terrorism, the exchange is carried out interagency delegations at various levels.
I would like to emphasize the closeness of the approaches of Russia and India, who have experienced the full seriousness and grave consequences of cross-border terrorism, to combat this "plague of the XXI century" at the international level. We strongly support the strengthening of the relevant collective efforts with the central role of the UN and its mechanisms and resolutions, including the suppression of the financing of terrorism, the activities of foreign terrorists-militants, spread the ideology of extremism, as well as cybercrime. We believe that this fight should not be linked with religion, and requires a comprehensive approach, including combating drug trafficking, arms trafficking and money laundering.
In this context, we are united in their rejection of the practice of "double standards" in the settlement of acute regional problems, including Afghanistan, the Syrian, Yemeni crises, as well as the fight against banned in Russia "Islamic state." Respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and non-interference in the internal affairs of States are fundamental principles of the foreign policy of India. In this we are absolutely in agreement.
Russia supports India's initiative to promote the UN Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism, the central focus of which is on the inadmissibility of state sponsorship of terrorism and terrorists refuge.
Russia and India are close and in the approaches to the issues of strengthening the existing international drug control system in the framework of the UN, especially the Commission on Narcotic Drugs and UNODC, strengthening international information security by developing a universal international instrument under the auspices of the UN, as well as the FATF line and other relevant mechanisms.
- Whether in the near future is expected to exchange visits of delegations from Moscow and New Delhi? Planned there any high-level meeting?
- One of the characteristic features of Russian-Indian relations is a regular and very dense political dialogue, especially in the framework formed by the interaction mechanisms at various levels, from the leaders to the regions.
The main event, of course, President Putin will participate in the BRICS summit on October 15-16 in the state of Goa, which is also held on the eve of the annual bilateral summit. In September it will be a meeting of the intergovernmental commission, which co-chaired by the deputy head of the Russian Government Dmitry Rogozin and Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj. In preparation for these activities already carried out numerous meetings and contacts in various fields.
Of great importance, as already noted, we had talks Putin and Modi in the framework of the SCO summit in Tashkent, in the course of which our leaders "compared notes" on a wide range of issues of bilateral and multilateral issues, and outlined plans for the future.
As a result - the second half of the year, promises us a very important event in Russian-Indian cooperation. It aimed to ensure that they are brought very tangible results.
