MTC high on agenda of Putin's visit to India - Kremlin
MOSCOW. Dec 9 (Interfax) - Prospects of Russia-Indian military and technological cooperation (MTC) will be high on the agenda of Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to India on December 11.
"Traditionally such talks focus on military and technological cooperation. MTC is one of the most important aspects of Russian-Indian strategic partnership. India is a secure and verified partner," Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov told journalists ahead of Putin's official visit to India.
Russia and India "successfully implement joint projects on the creation of a fifth-generation jet fighter, a multirole transport aircraft, and BrahMos missiles," he said. He also pointed out that June saw a ceremony of formal inclusion of the Vikramaditya aircraft carrier in the Indian navy.
The Russian-Indian high-level talks will include the discussion of "prospects of cooperation on the Sukhoi Superjet project, and satellite navigation, in particular Glonass," he said.
Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet Russian and Indian businessmen and attend the opening ceremony for a global diamond congress in Delhi he said.
The Indian side attaches much importance to Russia's participation in the congress, he said. "Russia is the world's leader as to the volume in overall diamond supplies to markets. It supplies up to a quarter of all rough diamonds, while India takes up to 70% of the world's diamond production," Ushakov said.
Putin will also meet with Sonia Ghandi, the leader of the Indian National Congress party. The Russian presidential visit will end up with a meeting with Indian President Pranab Mukherjee.
Russia and India will sign more than 20 documents, including agreements on cooperation with oil and gas, nuclear energy, as well as a document on flight safety between the defense ministries of the two countries, Ushakov said.
The Russian presidential delegation to India will include Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogorzin, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Industry and Trade Minister Dmitry Matrurov, Energy Minister Alexander Novak, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov, Economic Development Minister Alexei Ulyukayev, Russian Federal Space Agency Director Oleg Ostapenko, Russian Federal Military and Technological Service Director Alexander Fomin and Rosatom corporation chief Setgei Kiriyenko.