Russia and India plan to launch joint development and production of military equipment, spare parts and components, according to the statement "Through trust and partnership to new heights of cooperation" signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the outcomes of their talks in Vladivostok on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF).

"The sides have declared their commitment to boosting cooperation in the defense sphere, including establishing joint development and production of military equipment, spare parts and components as well as improving the system of aftersales services, and continuing regular joint drills between the two countries’ military," the document reads.

Close cooperation between Russia and India in military and military-technical areas is a key pillar of bilateral and especially privileged strategic partnership, the two leaders said.

The document also stated that Moscow and New Delhi confirmed the need to institutionalize mutual provision of logistical support and services for the two countries’ armed forces. A decision was made to draw up a legal framework for cooperation on mutual material and technical support, the statement said.

Besides, Russia and India welcomed boosting cooperation between Russia’s state space corporation Roscosmos and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), including on manned cosmonautics and satellite navigation.

The sides agreed that there is the need to fully employ the potential of Russia and India in the sphere of rocket production, creation and utilization of various spacecraft and also exploring and using outer space for peaceful goals, including for research on planets.

Putin, Modi say no to looming arms race in outer space

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have voiced their concerns over a potential arms race in outer space, according to their joint statement after a bilateral summit on Wednesday.

Both are concerned that this possible arms race could eventually turn space into an arena of military confrontation, the document said. The two leaders confirmed that the prevention of an arms race in outer space would help prevent a serious threat to international peace and security. Moreover, they announced their intentions to continue further efforts in this direction.

Putin and Modi pointed out the paramount importance of fully observing international and legal agreements, stipulating that outer space should be used only for peaceful objectives, including for maintaining international peace and stability, as well as developing international cooperation and mutual understanding.

Russia and India called for introducing a legally binding multilateral instrument, providing guarantees of non-deployment of any types of weapons at Low-Earth Orbit. They also confirmed that the Conference on Disarmament is the only forum for holding multilateral talks devoted to international cooperation on preventing an arms race in outer space in all its aspects.

According to their official statement, the sides reached an agreement that universal, non-discriminatory measures for transparency and building confidence may supplement a legally binding tool on preventing an arms race in outer space.

Easing visa travel

Russia and India intend to continue the work to ease visa travel between the states, according to the statement. The leaders of the two states welcomed "the positive development of the process of easing visa formalities," in particular the extension to one year of the validity period for e-visas for Russian citizens who go to India on business and tourism purposes, as well as the introduction of free e-visas for Indian citizens for visiting the Kaliningrad Region and Vladivostok. "The sides expressed the intention to continue to carry out work to ease visa travel," the statement reads.

The document states the dynamic development of the Russian-Indian ties in the sphere of tourism. "The sides agreed to continue work to develop cooperation in this sphere," the statement says.

The Guardian 

Thursday, 5 September, 2019