February 8, 2002

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INDIA-RUSSIA INTER-GOVERNMENTAL COMMISSION ON MILITARY TECHNICAL COOPERATION

    The Second Meeting of the Indian-Russian Inter-Governmental commission on Military Technical Cooperation was held in New Delhi from February 6-8, 2002. The Indian delegation was headed by Shri George Fernandes Minister of Defence of the Republic of India and from the Russian side by Mr. I I Klebanov, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation. The talks
were held in an atmosphere of mutual cordiality, reflecting the time tested close relationship between India and Russia.

    After a number of discussions at various levels, three Protocols and one Contract were signed between the Indian and Russian parties. The main protocol of the Inter-Governmental Commission was signed between Shri George Fernandes and Mr I I Klebanov. The Protocol of the Working Group on Military Technical Cooperation was signed between Shri Yogendra Narain, Defence Secretary, Government of India and Mr A V Denisov, First Deputy Chairman of the Russian federation Committee for Military Technical cooperation with Foreign States. The protocol of the Working Group on Shipbuilding, Aviation and Land Systems was signed between Shri Subir Dutta, Secretary, Defence Production & Supplies and Mr V F Mozgalev, deputy Minster of Economic Development and Trade of the Russian Federation. A Contract between Ministry of Defence, Government of India and M/s KBP Tula Russia was also signed between Shri Arvind Joshi, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Defence and Mr S I Averin from the Russian side. This Contract related to the acquisition by India of Krasnopol Terminally Guided Projectiles.

    At the closing Session of this Commission meeting, Shri George Fernandes expressed his deep satisfaction over the vast number of issues which were determined during the various meetings between the delegations and the Sub-groups which reflect a continuity and further strengthening of the historically and mutually close ties between the two countries at all levels
including the military strategic relationship. Shri Fernandes also expressed his satisfaction that with the current agreements which have now been reached between the two countries relating to joint cooperation for developing a 5th Generation Combat
Aircraft and the development and production of a Multi-role Transport Aircraft, the military relationship between Russia and India has matured from a buyer-seller relationship to transfer of technology and now to that of collaboration in research and
development of military equipment. Shri Ferandes also appreciated the technological cooperation, which had taken place between the two countries for the joint development of the BrahMos Missile. The Protocol which has been signed between the two countries will further expedite the ongoing negotiations for acquisition by India of the Gorshkov Aircraft Carrier and lease of theTU-22M3E Aircraft. Besides these, it has also been agreed by both the countries to proceed with discussions on a large number of weapon equipments, as also for technology transfer in the indigenisation of earlier received equipment by India.