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India, Russia move closer to 'strategic partnership'

India and Russia today decided to move towards establishing a ''strategic partnership'', called for the creation of a multi-polar world based on the sovereign equality of all states and supported the process of nuclear non-proliferation.

In a joint statement released at the end of a three-day visit of Russian Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov to New Delhi, the two countries stated that the ''declaration on strategic partnership'' would be signed at their next summit-level meeting. Russian President Boris Yeltsin is scheduled to visit India next year.

The statement said the declaration would mark a new step forward in the elaboration of the principles contained in the bilateral treaties of peace, friendship and cooperation of August 9, 1971, of friendship and cooperation of January 28,1993, the declaration on further development and enhancement of cooperation of June 30, 1994 and the Moscow declaration on the protection of interests of pluralistic states of June 30,1994.

''This political document of paramount importance will set new parameters and guide the further development of the close partnership between India and Russia,'' the statement added.

The statement said the two sides, while reiterating their commitment to the ideals of peace, democracy, rule of law, non-violence and secularism, proceeded from the understanding that it was necessary to create a multi-polar world based on the sovereign equality of all states, democratic values and justice.

''They agreed to jointly contribute to securing international peace and security, the democratisation of international relations, as well as to the promotion of the establishment of a new, just and stable world order with a strengthened role of the UN and its specialised agencies,'' it added.

During the talks between Primakov and Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the two sides exchanged views on a wide-range of international subjects and issues of mutual interest. In these discussions, they supported the process of nuclear non-proliferation. The discussions also demonstrated a convergence of views on international terrorism, illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs and arms, as well as the situation in and around Afghanistan and other parts of the world, the Middle East peace process and Asia-specific problems.

The statement said both sides expressed satisfaction that Indo-Russian bilateral cooperation was proceeding well in all spheres. They agreed to identify new ways to jointly exploit the tremendous capabilities, including scientific, technical and industrial skills, available in India and Russia. It was also agreed to jointly exploit the new opportunities emerging from economic changes underway in both countries. The determination to impart a qualitatively new character and long-term perspective to their multifaceted ties and actively develop them into the 21st century was reaffirmed.

The statement said the two sides expressed deep satisfaction over the outcome of the 5th session of the Indo-Russian inter-governmental commission on trade, economic, scientific, technological and cultural cooperation, held in Moscow from November 26-28, 1998. While appreciating the growth of Indo-Russian trade in 1997-98, it was hoped that the implementation of long-term bilateral trading arrangements in jointly identified items would lend stability to bilateral trade and encourage its growth on a sustained basis. The sides agreed to make concerted efforts to significantly increase trade in the years ahead.

The two sides expressed particular satisfaction that cooperation was progressing well in such fields as power, oil and natural gas, coal, steel and transport, and agreed to further strengthen it to mutual benefit.

It was noted that wide-ranging and multifaceted cooperation in science and technology continued to show excellent progress. The sides agreed to focus efforts on commercially exploiting the achievements of joint research in science and technology.

The statement said the two sides expressed satisfaction over their continuing cooperation in the peaceful uses of atomic energy.

Acknowledging the importance of people-to-people contacts and expressing satisfaction at the present level of Indo-Russian cultural exchanges, the sides agreed to further intensify such cooperation.

Satisfaction was expressed over the progress in broad, mutually beneficial military-technical cooperation during recent years, which has good prospects.

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