India Review A PUBLICATION OF THE EMBASSY OF INDIA, KABUL http://kabulmea.nic.in VOLUME 3 ISSUE 3 MARCH 2007

Highlights of the RUSSIANRUSSIAN PRESIDENTPRESIDENT Joint Statement ■ India and Russia reaf- firmed the importance of PUTINPUTIN VISITSVISITS INDIAINDIA their strategic partnership, which serves their national interests, strengthens bilater- al relations and contributes to international peace and security ■ Recognised that nuclear energy provides a safe, envi- ronmental-friendly and sus- tainable source of energy and believe that nuclear energy will provide an indispensable source of energy to future generations. ■ Resolved to further emphasise their willingness President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam takes the salute at the Republic Day parade on January 26. Russian President Vladimir Putin, to expand and strengthen centre, was the chief guest at the celebrations. Also seen in the photo is Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, left. their scientific and other ussian President Vladimir India”, Manmohan Singh set the exchanges, and bilateral dia- Putin was in India on a India, Russia tone for the new era in relations logue on peaceful uses of two-day official visit from with a resurgent Russia by under- nuclear energy. R ■ Noted with satisfaction January 25 with a view to boost- Sign Nine scoring the special significance ing business and strategic ties Agreements of Putin’s two-day visit that “will their ongoing cooperation in and expanding cooperation in impart a new momentum and construction of nuclear civilian nuclear energy. carry our strategic partnership to power plants at Kudankulam ! A Joint Statement on the and reaffirmed their commit- During his visit, the Russian outcome of Putin’s visit. new heights”. leader held wideranging discus- Putin was the chief guest at ment to work together to ! Programmes of cultural expand civil nuclear energy sion with Prime Minister exchanges for 2007-09. India’s 58th Republic Day parade, Manmohan Singh and called on where India showcased the cut- cooperation. ! Protocol on holding ‘Year of ■ Agreed to signed an President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. Russia in India’ (2008) and ting edge Russian weaponry in its He said Russia would help India arsenal. agreement on cooperation in ‘Year of India in Russia’ the construction of four build more nuclear power plants (2009). It had the desired effect as and also expand civil nuclear Putin repeatedly nodded his head additional power units at ! MOI for the construction of Kudankulam. cooperation as the two countries additional nuclear power plant as the jointly developed BrahMos ■ took their strategic ties to “new supersonic cruise missile and the Agreed that Russia will units at Kudankulam. work with the NSG to create heights” by signing nine agree- ! Agreement on the access of T-72 main battle tanks that have ments in areas ranging from been purchased from Russia conditions favourable to the India to navigation signals of amendment of guidelines for energy and space to business and the Russian GLONASS and rolled down Rajpath during the culture. two-hour parade during the facilitating expansion of civil- GLONASS Radio Frequency ian nuclear energy coopera- Prime Minister Singh and Spectrum for peaceful Republic Day celebration on President Putin signed an ambi- January 26. tion with India. purposes. ■ Recognised importance of tious Joint Statement after their ! Agreement for joint satellite In fact, such was the keenness talks that placed the new phase with which Putin watched the R&D for development of project Youthsat. innovative technologies. in their strategic relationship in a ! Protocol for exchange of proceedings that President ■ global perspective and under- Kalam, who took the salute, Expressed willingness to information on the movement further expand and strength- lined greater cooperation on key of goods and conveyances. repeatedly turned to him to point issues like the United Nations out the finer points of the pag- en their bilateral civilian ! Cooperation between Saraf nuclear energy cooperation. reforms, terrorism, the Iran Agency Private Limited, eant — whether relating to ■ nuclear crisis and stability in weaponry, the uniforms of the Agreed to work out a Vneshekonom Bank of Russia comprehensive programme of Central Asia and Afghanistan. and Joint Stock Company marching contingents, or the Describing Putin as “a world diverse tableaux on view. cooperation in peaceful use Technochim Holding. of atomic energy. leader and a special friend of Continued on page 2