The Hindu : National : India, Russia to step up strategic ties

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India, Russia to step up strategic ties

Sandeep Dikshit

Tenure of joint panel on military, technical cooperation extended by another 10 years

Two sides to step up military exercises among all the three services
India to consider Russia’s demand for price escalation for Gorshkov

— Photo: Rajeev Bhatt

Defence Minister A.K. Antony with his Russian counterpart Anatoly Serdyukov in New Delhi.

NEW DELHI: India and Russia took a significant step in consolidating their strategic ties by extending the tenure of their joint panel on military and technical cooperation by another 10 years.

Formed in 2000, the Indo-Russian Inter-Governmental Commission on Military Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-MTC) is the only joint body in the military sphere which is headed by Defence Ministers of both countries.

At the ninth meeting of the IRIGC-MTC, Defence Minister A. K. Antony and his Russian counterpart, Anatoly Serdyukov, also decided to de-bureaucratise the working of this commission. An apex committee headed by the two defence secretaries would resolve issues stuck at the level of sub-working groups.

The two sides decided to step up military exercises among all the three services. The exercises will be greater in frequency as well as larger in scope than the few fitful interactions the services have had in the past.

The tenure of the IRIGC-MTC was to expire in 2010. Russia has already submitted a draft proposal of activities envisaged for the next decade with Mr. Serdyukov hoping that the Indian side would approve the draft in the “shortest possible time.”

The proposed programme would pay attention to scientific research, joint development and construction “to achieve the transition from vendor and buyer to co-developers.”

“We have many working groups and sub-working groups. As a result there was no focus. Today, we have decided to have an apex body to quickly sort out all issues. … the Defence Secretaries will hold their first meeting in Moscow, well before the visit of [Russian President Dmitry] Medvedev so that they can decide on many pending issues and we can move very fast,” explained Mr. Antony.

‘Time-tested ties’

Describing the discussions as “very successful and fruitful,” he said India attached great importance to its relationship with Russia. “This relationship has stood the test of time. Both of us want to strengthen the relationship. We want this relationship to become more dynamic and want to expand it to more areas,” said Mr. Antony.

Replying to a question, he said issues relating to transfer of technology (ToT) of some T-90 components had been sorted out. While India is importing 347 T-90 tanks, another 1,000 would be made in India. India’s concerns relate to ToT of T-90’s gun barrels, anti-aircraft gun mounting, ventilation system, torsion mounts and night vision devices.

On the delay in acquisition of Gorshkov aircraft carrier, Mr. Antony said India had considered the Russian demand for an escalation in price. “The scope of requirements and refit has increased. Therefore, there is cost escalation. We will examine that. We are now at an advanced stage and hope it will be settled. It will be placed before the appropriate Cabinet committee.”

At the experts’ level, the two sides touched on the issue of co-development of a fifth generation fighter aircraft, especially the draft general agreement and the differing technical requirements of each side. On the multi-role transport aircraft, views were exchanged on the framework of cooperation through the formation of a joint venture for co-development and co-marketing.

Discussions were also held on the issue of offsets with India, pointing out that the Russian side should put in more effort especially with respect to the RD-33 engine.

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