The Hindu : National : Russia, India designing interceptor fighter

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Feb 16, 2006

National

National

Russia, India designing interceptor fighter

Prabhakkar Sharma

Call for stronger ties in hi-tech and information technology

Vyacheslav Trubnikov — Photo: C.V. Subrahmanyam

VISAKHAPATNAM: Russia and India were designing a unique interceptor fighter of the fifth generation, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation, Vyacheslav I. Trubnikov, said in an exclusive interview to The Hindu on Tuesday.

The Russian ambassador was here on an invitation from the Navy to witness the President's Fleet Review (PFR) from February 11 to 13. Describing President A.P.J. Kalam as the "Father" of the Brahmos missile, he said India and Russia had now reached an agreement for designing, producing and also marketing the product. "It is a brilliant example of international cooperation. Starting from design, it is something new. It goes beyond the relationship of a buyer and seller. It is a mutual effort everywhere," he said.

In the sphere of space too, Russia had assisted India in its efforts to become a "power to reckon with," Mr. Trubnikov noted. He said that during his visit to Bangalore sometime ago he saw two satellites being assembled which were later launched into space. "It was a completely indigenous project. But I am proud of Russia's involvement in the initial stages of India's emergence in space research."

While the Russian Ambassador was satisfied with military cooperation, he called for stronger ties in the spheres of hi-tech, information technology, biotechnology and nano technology. He said India was now a different country compared to about 15 years ago. Also, today's Russia is not the USSR. Both countries had to work together, particularly in trade and commerce where India was lagging behind, he said. The volume of trade with India was a meagre $2 billion while it was as high as $18 billion between India and China.

Mr. Trubnikov, who left for Raipur and Bhilai to speak to local leaders about modernising the steel plants, said he would like to compare the progress of the Bhilai steel plant with that of the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP). Bhilai was older than VSP and Bokaro came up later. He would like to see continuing cooperation in metallurgy and heavy industry, which were vital to a country's economy.

Speaking about the rupee debt, he said it was around $3 billion and to be cleared 2037. But if Russia could invest $1 billion of it immediately in the steel and heavy industry, the rest could be settled later.

He felt quality exports of tea, tobacco, textiles and coffee could boost the volume of trade with Russia which was willing to pay more for good tea. "In the market, we come across medium quality which sometimes pushes consumers to look to the West," he said. The Russian Consulate General in Chennai Antonyuk was also present.

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