Date:20/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/20/stories/2008082052741300.htm

National

India to step up defence cooperation with Russia

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: India and Russia resolved to continue with defence cooperation in a number of sensitive areas during a two-day meeting which ended here on Tuesday.

The two sides exchanged views on implementation of current projects like T-90 tanks, missile systems and shipbuilding activities and aviation sector projects like the fifth generation fighter aircraft and multirole transport aircraft. They also agreed to take steps for ensuring their successful implementation. The 8th meeting of the Indo-Russian Working Group on Shipbuilding, Aviation and Land Systems was within the framework of the Indo-Russian Inter-Governmental Commission on Military Technical Cooperation. A protocol was signed by both sides at the end of the meeting.

Ajoy Acharya, Additional Secretary, Department of Defence, Production of the Ministry of Defence and Karavaev Igor Evgeniyevich, Director of the Department for Defence Industry Complex Development of the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade, presided.