In his words, the intention to expand bilateral military-technical cooperation is formalized in a protocol of the inter-governmental commission for Russian-Indian military-technical cooperation that was signed after talks involving President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation and Russia's Defense Minister wound up in New Delhi.
This document formalizes an accord to complete talks on signing an agreement to protect intellectual-property rights over a four-month period, Mr. Ivanov noted.
Moreover, both sides confirmed their readiness to establish service centers that would repair Russian-made combat hardware, Mr. Ivanov added.
All in all, the Indian side has received more than 350 projects and contracts worth a total of $3.5 billion, Mr. Ivanov said. We are discussing all these issues, he added.
No new contracts were signed during the latest visit, Mr. Ivanov went on to say. No new contracts were planned, Mr. Ivanov said, reminding his audience that contracts worth $3 billion had already been signed this year.
We are now discussing repairs of previously supplied equipment, the Russian Defense Minister went on to say. Among other things, Russia had delivered more than ten diesel-powered submarines to the Indian Navy; all these submarines must be serviced and upgraded, Mr. Ivanov stressed. This is exactly what we are doing, the Russian Defense Minister added.
Apart from military-technical cooperation, Russian-Indian relations comprise joint efforts in the military sphere, i.e. the settlement of crises in various hot spots, such as Afghanistan, the Middle East and Iraq.
Apart from that, Moscow and New Delhi have agreed to hold war games involving airborne units in India next year.
The Indian Airborne Troops boast Russian-made equipment alone, Mr. Ivanov explained.
We would like to implement some far-reaching plans in the future, Mr. Ivanov said in conclusion.
