STATEMENT TO THE INDIAN MEDIA BY THE
PRIME MINISTER AT THE CONCLUSION OF HIS VISIT TO RUSSIA, TAJIKISTAN
AND SYRIA
Following is the
text of the statement made by the Prime Minister, Shri Atal Bihari
Vajpayee to the Indian media at the conclusion of his visit to
Russia, Tajikistan and Syria at Damascus today:
"I have
just completed a satisfying visit to Russia, Tajikistan and Syria.
My visit to Russia
continued the tradition of annual Summits that President Putin
and I have established since his State visit to India in 2000,
as part of the India-Russia strategic partnership.
President Putin
and I, had extensive discussions over two days, on all aspects
of our very wide bilateral relationship, as well as on regional
and international issues. Russia has shown understanding on all
major issues of our concern and shares our perspectives on developments
in our common neighbourhood. This identity or similarity of views
is reflected in our Joint Declaration. We paid particular attention
to our cooperation against terrorism.
We discussed
further strengthening of our defence cooperation. We have agreed
to expand our cooperation in the energy sector while continuing
the existing cooperation at the Kudankulam nuclear power plant
as well as in the Sakhalin-I oilfield project. We have decided
to discuss further cooperation in the field of space technologies,
especially in satellite navigation.
A Joint Task
Force has been set up to suggest specific measures to enhance
India-Russia bilateral trade and investment. We look forward to
receiving its recommendations soon. A large business delegation
accompanied me to Russia. I understand that the members of the
delegation had fruitful interactions with Russian business and
industry. This augurs well for the development of our economic
and commercial relations with Russia, independent of the rupee-rouble
arrangement. To facilitate travel of tourists and business representatives,
India has agreed to increase the frequency of flights between
India and Russia. We have also offered the Russian national carrier
the fifth freedom right to link Afghanistan with our two countries.
My visit to Tajikistan
was timely. Tajikistan is India’s nearest Central Asian neighbour.
It is a resource-rich nation in the strategic heartland of Asia.
We are building a wide ranging and intensive relationship based
on our shared cultural traditions and our commitment to democracy
and secularism, as well as our common interest in regional stability.
We are intensifying our interaction in defence and security, while
building an equally extensive economic and commercial relationship.
We agreed to strengthen our cooperation against terrorism, particularly
in our shared neighbourhood. The bilateral documents which were
signed, and announcements on economic cooperation which were made,
demonstrated our close understanding on political issues, and
our commitment to the further strengthening of all aspects of
our relationship. We are working to expand people to people ties.
President Rakhmanov and I agreed that we should actively cooperate
in upgrading surface transport links between India and Tajikistan
through Iran and Afghanistan.
The visit to
Syria served to re-establish high level contact with a traditionally
friendly country. The India-Syria relationship is based on historic
links, and our common position in international fora including
the Non Aligned Movement.
President Assad
and I agreed that the economic and commercial relationship needs
to be developed extensively to raise it to a level commensurate
with our political relations. New vistas of cooperation have emerged
with economic change in both countries. We have also agreed to
set up a Group of Experts to make specific recommendations regarding
areas for bilateral cooperation. Particular interest was expressed
in expanding Indian presence in Syria in sectors such as hydrocarbons,
fertilizers, power generation, irrigation, as well as in information
technology and biotechnology. We offered Syria a credit line of
US $ 25 million to stimulate bilateral trade.
To develop the
Syria National Biotechnology Centre as a centre of excellence
in the region, India has extended a grant of one million dollars
to this jointly-established institute. Both sides see this as
a significant step in our growing cooperation in the use of technology
for peaceful purposes.
We remain concerned
at the continuing cycle of violence and counter-violence in the
region. I reiterated India’s continued commitment to the Middle
East peace process, and to a comprehensive and lasting peace,
based on full implementation of the relevant UN Security Council
Resolutions, and the Land for Peace principle.
This visit has
strengthened our bilateral relationship with Russia, Tajikistan
and Syria. Our strategic partnership with Russia not only encompasses
our political, economic, defence and cultural cooperation; it
is also an important element in our efforts for a multipolar world
order. Both Tajikistan and Syria are important countries in regions
of great political, economic and strategic significance for us.
I am confident that our exchanges during this visit will provide
a fresh impetus to our bilateral cooperation with these countries,
as well as our interactions in regional and international forums.
We look forward
to the visits of President Putin, President Rakhmanov and President
Assad to India on mutually convenient dates.
