India, Russia sign 28 agreements, discuss Afghanistan and condemn cross-border terrorism

New Delhi: Hours after the first 2+2 talks between the two countries, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian Vladimir President Putin held the 21st annual summit on Monday. They discussed the evolving situation in Afghanistan, particularly the security situation and its implications in the region, besides condemning the cross-border movement of terrorists.

The two countries also signed an agreement for joint production of over six lakh AK-203 rifles in Uttar Pradesh, and 28 MoUs and agreements, including a program of military-technical cooperation from 2021-2031.

Here are the main points

In his inaugural address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India and Russia have not only cooperated with each other without hesitation but have also taken special care of each other’s sensitivities. PM Modi said, “There have been many fundamental changes at the global level in the last several decades. A lot of geopolitical equations have come to the fore. But the India-Russia friendship has remained a constant amidst all these variables. The two countries have not only We have cooperated with each other without any hesitation, but have also taken special care of each other’s sensibility. It is indeed a unique and credible model of inter-state friendship.”

The Prime Minister said that the two countries are taking a long-term approach to deepen ties in the economic sphere and have set a target of $30 billion in trade and $50 billion in investment by 2025.

  • Russian Putin, whose visit to India was only his second foreign trip since the outbreak of COVID-19, said Russia sees India “as a major power whose people have been very friendly to us”, “our Relationships go a long way” Positive Foundations. They are developing and forward looking.”

A 99-point comprehensive joint statement covering various aspects of the relationship, including cooperation in the space sector, was issued after talks held in “a warm and friendly atmosphere”.

Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said at a media briefing after the summit, “The two leaders had excellent discussions. This is President Putin’s second visit outside Russia since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The only visit he has made is, That was a brief visit to Geneva for the Russia-US summit.” “The fact that the Russian President has decided to visit India extraordinarily for the annual summit is an indication of the importance he attaches to bilateral relations and his personal ties,” he said. said.

PM Modi and President Putin expressed satisfaction at the continued progress in the ‘Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership’ between the two countries, despite the challenges posed by the COVID pandemic. They welcomed the holding of the first meeting of the 2+2 Dialogue of Foreign Affairs. Meeting of the Minister of Defense and the Intergovernmental Commission on Military and Military-Technical Cooperation.

The two sides made a positive assessment of the multi-faceted India-Russia ties spanning various areas of cooperation, including political and strategic, economy, energy, military and security, science and technology, culture and humanitarian cooperation, the statement said. They noted that while traditional areas of cooperation are being further strengthened, new drivers of growth have led to the diversification and expansion of bilateral cooperation.

The leaders underscored the need for greater economic cooperation and, in this context, emphasized new drivers of growth for long-term, predictable and sustained economic cooperation. They appreciated the success story of mutual investment and looked forward to greater investment in each other’s countries.

The role of connectivity through the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and the proposed Chennai – Vladivostok Eastern Maritime Corridor was discussed. The leaders discussed regional and global developments, including global economic recovery and the situation in the aftermath of the pandemic. In Afghanistan. They agreed that the two countries share similar perspectives and concerns on Afghanistan and appreciated the bilateral roadmap prepared at the NSA level for consultation and cooperation on Afghanistan.

  • “The leaders reiterated their strong support for a peaceful, secure and stable Afghanistan, emphasizing respect for sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity and non-interference in its internal affairs. They also discussed the current humanitarian situation and provided immediate humanitarian assistance.” Afghan people,” the statement said.

The leaders stressed that the territory of Afghanistan should not be used to shelter, train, plan or finance any terrorist group, including ISIS, Al Qaeda, and Lashkar-e-Taiba. They reaffirmed their steadfast commitment to counter-terrorism in all its forms and said in the statement that its financing, dismantling of terrorist infrastructure and efforts to ensure that Afghanistan will never become a safe haven for global terrorism, Expressions including countering radicalization.

Agreements and MoUs span a vast range of areas, including trade, energy, science and technology, intellectual property, outer space, geological exploration, cultural exchange and education. India and Russia strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and urged the international community to take action, the statement said. In order to intensify cooperation against terrorism including safe haven, terrorism financing, arms, drug trafficking and radicalization, the Central Bank of Russia and the Reserve Bank of India signed a cooperation agreement to fight cyber attacks.

President Putin invited Prime Minister Modi to visit Russia for the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit in 2022.