They also introduced amendments to the draft agreement on activities in the sphere of space that is to be signed late next year.
Messrs Perminov and Nair discussed prospects for the joint restoration and use of the global satellite network and the possibility of launching Russian spacecraft on Indian-made boosters. The conferees also discussed the possibility of developing equipment for Earth probes, joint research in the area of electric engines for spacecraft, and joint projects for probing lunar surface and building a solar observatory, i.e. a spacecraft to study Roentgen rays.
Mr Perminov updated the Indian delegates on the results of Russia's administrative reform and its effect on the Federal Space Agency. Mr Perminov also voiced satisfaction with current Russian-Indian cooperation. "We regard India as a great space power," said Mr Perminov.
Doctor Nair said the two countries' positions on a range of international space-related issues coincided and fell perfectly in line with the world's integration processes.
Peaceful cooperation in the sphere of space has been an important part of Russian-Indian relations, which dates back to the 1970s. In the 1970s-80s, the Soviet Union began launching first Indian satellites from its Baikonur launching site. The first ever Indian cosmonaut implemented a research programme on board the Soviet Salyut-7 space station in 1984.
