— PHOTO: R.V. MOORTHY

COLOUR TO FESTIVITIES: Russian President Vladimir Putin being escorted by President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during the 58th Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi on Friday.

NEW DELHI: Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that he had reached an across-the-board agreement with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in the fields of nuclear energy and oil and gas.

Answering questions from The Hindu at the Russian Embassy here, a visibly pleased Mr. Putin said, "Yes, we agreed — virtually all across the board. That relates to nuclear energy, also hydrocarbons."

Support on Sakhalin-III

Asked about the "weakness" of Thursday's joint statement on specifics in the oil and gas sector, especially on Indian investment in Sakhalin-III, he said, "With regard to Sakhalin-III, you need to work directly with our companies."

"And the Indian partners know whom they need to deal with and in what manner. On behalf of the [Russian] Government, we will provide all the necessary administrative support," Mr. Putin said.

Mr. Putin's comments indicate that he has had substantive discussions on concrete aspects of energy cooperation, including an Indian stake in Sakhalin-III.

"Ties strengthened"

"By all means," he said to a question whether the India-Russia strategic partnership was strengthened by his two-day visit. "We both have reaffirmed the agreements reached earlier, and also laid down steps to take us forward."

According to him, he and Dr. Singh formulated specific proposals, which delineated in concrete terms ways and means of strengthening strategic partnership.

Russia and India were "agreeing and coordinating" their activities in the international sphere, economy, military affairs and military-technological cooperation.

High technologies

"It is very important that, increasingly, we increase our cooperation in the development of high technologies in the aforementioned areas," Mr. Putin said, speaking through an interpreter.

Earlier, he conferred the "order of friendship" on Gandhian Nirmala Deshpande and Jawaharlal Nehru University academic Sankar Basu.

Speaking at the function, he said India had brilliant prospects. "I'm glad to see the achievements of the Indian people," he said, adding Russia looked at India with "special affection and attention."

Jagdish Chandra Kapur, former co-chair of the World Public Forum, was honoured by Vladimir Yakunin, WPF president and head of the Centre for National Glory of Russia, in Mr. Putin's presence.

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