This year we are celebrating an anniversary of an event which can be truly called historical. Seventy years ago i.e. 13th April, 1947, the USSR and Government of India decided to establish a government mission in Moscow and Delhi. This came as one more step towards India to help in its independence and strengthen its independence.
Our bilateral partnership has grown stronger in the following decades, and it has never been the subject of political convenience. Beneficial relations have evolved continuously between the two countries and mutually. This is quite natural. Our people have always been sympathetic to each other's spiritual values and culture, have been respected. We can be proud of what we have achieved today. These advances of industrialization in India came with the technical and financial support of Russia: Metallurgical Complex in Bhilai, Visakhapatnam and Bokaro, Mining Equipment Plant at Durgapur, Thermal Power Station in Nevelli, Electromechanical Enterprise in Korba, Antibiotic Plant in Rishikesh and Hyderabad Pharmaceutical Plant.
Soviet, and later Russian scientists and academicians participated in the establishment of research and education centers in India. These include the Indian Institute of Technology in Bombay, the Research Institute of Petroleum Industry in Dehradun and Ahmedabad. We are proud that our experts helped develop the space program of India. Due to this fruitful bilateral cooperation, India's first satellite Aryabhata was launched in 1975. Indian national Rakesh Sharma went to space in 1984 as a member of the crew of Soyuz T-11.
Our countries signed a peace treaty on peace, friendship and cooperation in August 1971, which leads to the fundamental principles of bilateral relations. For instance, respect for respect to sovereignty and to take care of each other's interests, to be a good neighbor and to have peaceful coexistence. In 1993, the Russian Federation and India ratified the necessity of these basic principles in the new treaty of peace, friendship and cooperation. In the year 2000, on the strategic partnership, the manifesto of the affluent gave a chance to adjust to their views, to ensure international peace and security and to resolve the plagued global and regional issues. The annual summit in Russia-India bilateral relations is now an established tradition, which gives an opportunity to discuss the efforts made to meet the goals in a time-bound manner. At the same time, we are able to decide long-term goals. In the beginning of June we will do another summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in St. Petersburg. They are expected to attend their St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, in which India will participate in the form of partner country for the first time.
Legal framework with more than 250 documents is being updated on a regular basis. Effective work is being done in the realm of inter-governmental commissions on cooperation in trade and economy, science and technology, culture and military-technical sector. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Security Council's Office and the concerned Ministry continuously communicate. Trade and human contact with inter-parliamentary and inter-regional relations is being actively developed. Military cooperation is also being expanded. Ground and naval joint exercises are organized regularly.
Cooperation in peaceful uses of nuclear energy is one of the fundamental elements of relations between Russia and India. The construction of Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant with our help is a flagship project in this area. In 2013 the operation of the first nuclear power unit began. In October 2016, the second unit was handed over to India. Construction of third and fourth power units also started. All of these are helping to implement the plans for the development of nuclear energy in India, under which by 2020 India has to construct at least 12 power plants. These goals have been fixed in a joint document. This document is - Strategic Vision of strengthening Russia-India cooperation in peaceful use of atomic energy.
Our readiness is that we will continue to share the best experience with India in this important industry and continue contributing to India's energy security.
Collaboration in the traditional energy sector is developing successfully. The association of Indian companies bought a block of shares in the Russian company 'Wankornaut', which became the biggest bilateral deal in the oil industry. In the Russian Arctic region, the possibility of joint venture of Hydrocarbons and participation of Indian companies in production projects is currently being considered. With modernization of existing power plants and new power plants, there are also good prospects for cooperation in solar energy. Large scale projects are being run in mechanical engineering, chemical and mining industry, aircraft making, pharmaceuticals and medicines.
One of our priorities is to increase the turnover of mutual business and improve its structure. Simultaneously, the economic activity of our business communities should be encouraged. I am talking about increasing the supply of industrial cooperation and high tech products, creating a better environment for business and investment, and using the payment system in national currencies. Decision to start negotiations in December 2016 on the Free Trade Area Agreement between the Eurasian Economic Union and India is of particular importance. The possibility of making the International North South Transport Corridor is being explored. All these things should encourage development of our bilateral and regional cooperation.
Working Group on priority projects was set up to promote the flow of capital from both sides. This work is being done under the inter-governmental commission for business, economic, scientific, technical and cultural cooperation. Under this 19 most promising projects have already been selected. Russia is committed to long-term involvement in the program "Make in India" launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Our country provides intensive cooperation in producing multi-purpose weapons and military equipment. Combining "BrahMos" of the unique supersonic cruise missile together is our special pride. Within the framework of military and technical cooperation, so far since 1960, more than 65 billion dollars have been contracted. Order portfolio has exceeded $ 46 billion between 2012 and 2016. Russia and India are equal partners in international affairs. Our countries support the multi-polar democratic system in international relations, in which strict adherence to the principles of law and the United Nations has a central role. We are ready to fight the challenges and threats of the twenty-first century, promote solidarity agenda, and contribute to maintaining global and regional security.
We talk effectively in the realm of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa). With our collective efforts, it has become an organization whose weight and effect are increasing. India will become a full member of the SCO in this June. This will increase the capacity of the SCO. Russia and India work together on G-20 and other international forums I would also like to note that on the complex issues like resolving the situation in Syria, ensuring stability in the Middle East and North Africa region, both countries keep close ties in their approach. Both of them contribute significantly in the national reconciliation process in Afghanistan.
I believe that the vast potential of cooperation among two great powers will be further explored so that the whole international community can benefit normally with the people of Russia and India. We have everything necessary to achieve it - both sides have political will, economic capacity and global preferences like the same. All these have a glorious history of the friendship of Russia-India. On this occasion, I congratulate all the friends & all the citizens of India.
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Russia is great and a true friend of India..
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