Dec 17, 2011

 Space research

 11.     The sides commended the successful launch, by India, of the jointly built YouthSat for space science studies; and expressed satisfaction on the progress in implementation of the joint lunar exploration project. The sides agreed to continue cooperation in the space sector in the fields of satellite navigation and manned missions. The sides expressed mutual interest in using the Russian global navigation satellite system GLONASS and looked forward to furthering their cooperation in this field, including through the joint production of satellite navigation equipment and services for civilian users.

Military-Technical cooperation

 12.     The sides welcomed the outcome of the eleventh meeting of the India-Russia Inter Governmental Commission on Military-Technical Cooperation in addressing issues of mutual concern. The sides took note of the progress made in important joint defence projects such as the refitment of aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya (Admiral Gorshkov), joint development and production of Multi-Role Transport Aircraft, Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft and licensed production of various Russian origin defence equipment and armaments in India.

Coordination at the United Nations

 16.     As an important element of their Strategic Partnership, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to work together to strengthen the central coordinating role of the United Nations in international affairs as well as the crucial role of its Security Council in the maintenance of international peace and security. In this context, they reiterated their agreement to further strengthen their cooperation on issues related to the reform of the UN and its Security Council and stressed that the reform of the UN Security Council should be carried out in a manner that makes this body more representative and effective in dealing with both present and emerging challenges. The Russian Federation expressed strong support to India for a permanent seat in an expanded UN Security Council. The two sides also expressed satisfaction with their cooperation in the UN Security Council since January 1, 2011, when India joined the Council as a non-permanent member, and agreed to take this cooperation forward.

Situation in the Middle East and North Africa

19.     In the context of the situation in the Middle East and North Africa, the sides reaffirmed their commitment to the principles of: searching the way to overcome crises in the region in compliance with law, exclusively through peaceful means, avoiding violence and outside intervention, through broad, inclusive national dialogue on democratic reforms, taking into account the legitimate rights and aspirations of the peoples of the region.

 20.     They agreed that the fundamental transformation taking place in the states of the Middle East and North Africa should not be used as a pretext to delay resolution of lasting conflicts, but rather as an incentive to settle them. They spoke in favour of achieving comprehensive, just and final settlement of the Arab-Israel conflict on the basis of universally recognized international legal framework including the relevant UN resolutions, the Madrid principles and the Arab Peace Initiative. The sides support an early resumption of the Palestinian-Israeli negotiations aiming at the establishment of an independent, viable and territorially unified Palestinian State within the borders based on the lines of 1967, with negotiated mutually agreed territorial exchanges and East Jerusalem as its capital as well as joint efforts of the Middle East Quartet of international mediators. They called upon for early restoration of Palestinian unity. A common All-Palestinian position based on PLO principles and the Arab Peace Initiative would contribute to progress towards a Palestine-Israeli settlement, as also peace and security for all the countries and peoples of the region.

Security and cooperation in the region of Asia and the Indian and Pacific Oceans

 21.     The sides reiterated their support to the creation of a transparent, open, comprehensive, and balanced architecture of security and cooperation in the region based on the recognized principles of international law as well as respect for the legitimate interests of all states. They emphasized their commitment to the principle of indivisibility of security, unacceptability of attempts to enhance their own security to the detriment of other states` security, inadmissibility of preservation and creation of new dividing lines. The sides acknowledged the necessity of addressing both traditional and new security threats - terrorism, extremism, WMD proliferation, illicit drug trafficking, organized crime and maritime piracy. They expressed readiness to work closely within the framework of the East Asia Summit, which they regard as a leaders-led forum for dialogue on broad strategic, political and economic issues of common interest and concern with the aim of promoting peace, stability and economic prosperity in East Asia.

 22.     The sides agreed that the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) had become an important factor for regional security and cooperation. Russia welcomed India`s intention to join the organization as a full-fledged member and expressed the belief that its participation would significantly increase the political weight of the SCO and give new quality and dimension to cooperation within its framework. Russia stated that it stood for joint efforts with other SCO members to accelerate the process of India`s full membership of the organization.

 23.     The sides noted that there were already several examples of successful regional cooperation formats operating in Asia and Indian and Pacific Ocean region, including the interaction between Russia, India and China (RIC). The importance of this format in fostering regional dialogue and cooperation was reaffirmed in the Joint Declaration of the 10th RIC Ministerial Meeting held on November 15, 2010 in Wuhan.

 Development of BRICS Cooperation

24.     The sides attached importance to strengthening cooperation among BRICS countries. They welcomed the growing role of BRICS in international political and economic life. The sides noted with satisfaction the progress achieved within the BRICS framework on cooperation in finance, trade, science and technology, agriculture and healthcare. Both sides reaffirmed their desire to jointly contribute to further development of cooperation within BRICS for the benefit of peoples of participating states The sides expressed confidence that the forthcoming BRICS Summit in 2012 to be chaired by India would be an important step towards strengthening the role of the grouping in the reform of global governance and towards further deepening intra-BRICS cooperation.

 Disarmament and non-proliferation

 25.     India and the Russian Federation, as responsible states, possessing advanced nuclear technologies, share the objective of preventive proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery, including preventing their possible acquisition by terrorist groups. Both sides agreed on the need for all states possessing nuclear weapons to accelerate concrete progress on the steps leading to global nuclear disarmament in a way that promotes international stability, peace and undiminished and increased security for all.

 26.     Both sides expressed interest in strengthening multilateral export control regimes as an important component of the global non-proliferation regime. In this regard, the Russian side reiterated readiness to assist and promote a discussion and positive decision in the NSG on India’s full membership in the NSG, and welcomed India’s intention to seek full membership. India underscored its determination to actively contribute to international efforts aimed at strengthening nuclear non-proliferation regime. The Russian Federation also took into consideration India’s interest in full membership in MTCR and the Wassenaar Arrangement.

 27.     While recognizing the inherent right of states to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, India and the Russian Federation stressed the need for all states to comply with their respective obligations on non-proliferation. The sides support the central role of the IAEA and its safeguards system in the promotion of peaceful uses of nuclear energy, in accordance with its statute. The sides intend to support international efforts aimed at promoting peaceful uses of nuclear energy as part of a proliferation-resistant architecture of international cooperation, based on strict implementation of non-proliferation obligations. As supplier states, the sides support multilateral approaches to the nuclear fuel cycle at the IAEA.

 Combating Terrorism

28.     The sides recalled the bilateral Moscow Declaration between India and the Russian Federation on International Terrorism signed on November 6, 2001 in Moscow.  They strongly condemned the existence of safe havens and sanctuaries for terrorism, and reiterated that States that aid, abet or shelter terrorists were as guilty of acts of terrorism as their actual perpetrators.

 29.     Both sides reaffirmed the need for all states to combine efforts to vanquish terrorism. They agreed that there was no justification whatsoever for any act of terrorism, and that India and Russia being pluralistic states were especially vulnerable to acts of terrorism which are attacks against the values and freedoms, enshrined in their societies. Both sides reaffirmed that international terrorism is a threat to peace and security, a grave violation of human rights and a crime against humanity. They reaffirmed the central role of the United Nations in the combat against international terrorism and in this context called for an early adoption of the UN’s draft Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism.

 Combating Illicit Drug Trafficking

 30.     The sides emphasized the importance of joint bilateral and multilateral efforts in the fight against illicit drug trafficking which poses a growing threat to international peace and stability, taking into account the fact that this criminal business had become one of the main financial source of international terrorism. The sides confirmed their intention to closely interact in preparation for the Third Ministerial Conference of the Paris Pact initiative to be held in Vienna on February 16, 2012.

 Iran`s Nuclear Energy Programme

 31.     India and the Russian Federation expressed concern over the situation emerging around Iran’s nuclear programme. Both sides support a comprehensive and long-term settlement of the situation through exclusively political and diplomatic means by promoting dialogue. The sides noted in this context that unilateral sanctions could be counter-productive. They recognized Iran’s right to develop research, produce and use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes in conformity with its international obligations. India and the Russian Federation urged Iran to comply with the provisions of the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions and extend full cooperation to the IAEA.

 Afghanistan

32.     The sides expressed their readiness to continue promoting the establishment of Afghanistan as a peaceful, democratic and independent state, free from terrorism, outside interference and drug-related crimes, with a sustainable economy. They expressed concern over escalation of extremist activity throughout the territory of the country, including previously relatively peaceful provinces, drug production growth, and unresolved socio-economic problems.

 33.     Supporting the transfer of responsibility for the situation in the country to the National Security Forces, the sides urge to intensify efforts to build up their capacity. The sides believe that the international military presence in Afghanistan should be linked to the security situation on the ground.

34.     India and the Russian Federation support the efforts taken by the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to establish a peaceful dialogue with the armed opposition, provided that the process goes on under the Afghan leadership and that the fighters meet the redlines enunciated by the international community: the recognition of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, renunciation of violence and breaking with al-Qaeda and other terrorist organizations. They consider it necessary to continue the UN Security Council sanctions regime as an essential anti-terror tool.

 35.     The sides noted with satisfaction the growing global understanding of the important role played by the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan neighboring states, states and organizations of the region, and urge to focus the efforts in the region on the development and improvement of sound structures of regional cooperation, like the SCO and SAARC amongst others. They expect that the international community in their efforts in this regard will respect the decisions taken by the countries of the region in the framework of these organizations. [PIB Report].

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