Your appointment takes place on the eve of the Year of Russia in India. What role will the Indian Embassy in Russia play in organizing events in this context? What do you have to say about the importance of the Year of Russia in India in 2008 and the Year of India in Russia in 2009? What events of the Year of Russia in India would you, as ambassador, personally emphasize?
I'd like to begin by saying that I am looking forward to returning to Russia. My family and I have had some memorable times in Moscow, and will be catching up with our old friends. I have always been drawn to Russian culture, ever since I first read "The Queen of Spades" as a child - which I have since also read in the original. I am glad that we will be holding a Year of Russia in India, and a Year of India in Russia. We have nearly finalized the list of events for the Year of Russia in India. President, ICCR Dr. Karan Singh will be visiting Moscow in early October to give final shape to the proposed plan of events in 2008 and discuss the program for 2009.
When we organized similar events between India and the Soviet Union in 1980s, these were very well received. At a people-to-people level, those days are fondly remembered. I am sure that the events planned for 2008 and 2009 will score similar successes.
Our embassy in Moscow will actively participate and facilitate the celebrations. Of course, it will have more of a role to play during the Year of India in Russia. We are also planning a series of events to be organized by the Jawaharlal Nehru Cultural Centre in Moscow.
I would only add that it is important for both countries to make special efforts to reach out to the younger generation in the other country. And to incorporate a cultural idiom and message that will appeal to the youth.
In July 2007 Moscow played host to a session of a strategic group concerning itself with the development of Russian-Indian commercial and economic relations. What do you have to say about the group's performance and plans? What should be done to promote bilateral trade and economic relations? What do you see as the main obstacle to their development and what should be done to overcome it? What should be considered a priority?
A Joint Study Group was formed in 2006. The main role of this JSG was to examine the feasibility of signing a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) between India and Russia and to increase bilateral trade turnover to US $ 10 billion by 2010. The JSG had its fourth and final meeting in Moscow in July 2007. The JSG finalized its report and suggested a roadmap for achieving a significant increase in our bilateral trade turnover by diversifying and increasing trade in goods and services and through investment and economic cooperation. It also suggested measures to arrest the decline in India's exports to Russia. The JSG also recommended the setting up of a Joint Task Force to ensure the implementation of the JSG Report. The JSG has done commendable work but the finalization of the report marks only the beginning of the strenuous efforts that will be needed on both sides. The business operators, particularly business leaders, in the two countries will have to play their role in this. As ambassador, I shall make this my top priority.
Russia, India and China will meet for another round of talks in the autumn of 2007. What do you think about the prospects of work in this format?
The mechanism of trilateral meetings is a manifestation of enhanced mutual understanding among the three countries. The India-Russia-China trilateral cooperation is intended to promote international harmony and understanding and find common ground amidst divergent interests. The trilateral meetings provide a forum to exchange views on important international issues and also coordinate efforts to enhance economic cooperation and counter terrorism and drug-trafficking.
The members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) In August 2007 held a regular session. What do you have to say about the results of this session? What could India offer to make the SCO more effective in promoting regional cooperation and security?
The high-level participation from SCO members, observers and guest countries in the Summit shows the growing importance and influence of the SCO. We in India have observed with keen interest the growth in stature of the SCO in the last few years. We are confident about the SCO's future and see it as an organization which could promote peace and stability in our region, as well as greater economic cooperation and cultural exchanges amongst our countries.
July 2007 marked 20 years since the adoption of a long-term program on Russian-Indian Cooperation in science and technology. What do you have to say about the current status of this cooperation? What do you think about its subsequent stages? What directions of cooperation do you regard as the most promising ones?
I was part of the negotiations that led to the conclusion of the Integrated Long Term Program (ILTP) twenty years ago. I am glad it has worked well over the years and is another manifestation of how our relations have stood the test of time. It is one of the most wide-ranging international scientific collaboration that India has with any other country. Joint research projects, seminars/workshops, exchange of scientific delegations and cooperation between scientific institutions of the two countries are the principal thrust areas of cooperation within ILTP. With the passage of time, the role of ILTP has increased and it has diversified into areas such as establishment of Centers of Excellence and has facilitated the transfer of technology.
Energy and military-technical cooperation are major components of our bilateral dialogue. What is your assessment of this cooperation? What do you think about its prospects?
Our investment in Sakhalin-I in Russia is one of our biggest investments in the energy sector abroad. We also have wide-ranging defense cooperation with Russia. Our partnership in the defense sector is more significant than just a buyer-seller relationship since it has progressed to joint development and production. Brahmos is a salient example of such cooperation. We are continuously striving to enhance cooperation in both these fields.
Russia and India have been strategic partners for a long time. How do you interpret ‘strategic partnership'? What influence does it have on the situation in South Asia and beyond?
India has enjoyed a special relationship with Russia ever since the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and the USSR in April 1947. Our strategic partnership is based on mutual confidence and understanding and serves the long term national interests of both countries. There are convergences in the world views of the two countries and our multi-dimensional bilateral cooperation extends across a wide range of fields - political, trade and economy, science & technology, culture, education, defense, energy and high technology, including space.
