India and Russia recently inked a whopping 25 agreements covering a broad spectrum of areas such as defense, science, technology, and trade. The agreements were signed during the annual India-Russia summit held in Vladivostok, Russia, and are expected to enhance the strategic partnership between the two nations.
Some of the key agreements signed are:
1. Defense Cooperation: India and Russia have a long-standing defense partnership, and this time around, they have signed agreements to jointly manufacture spare parts for Russian military equipment in India, as well as to improve after-sales support for the Russian-made platforms used by the Indian armed forces.
2. Space Cooperation: India`s space agency, ISRO, and Russia`s Roscosmos will collaborate in areas such as manned spaceflight, satellite navigation, and remote sensing. The two countries will also explore the possibility of setting up a joint venture for the manufacture of spacecraft and related systems.
3. Energy: India and Russia have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for cooperation in the field of geology and mineral resources. This MoU is expected to facilitate joint exploration and production of hydrocarbons in Russia, India, and other countries.
4. Trade and Investment: The two countries have signed a series of agreements to boost bilateral trade and investment. One such agreement is for the establishment of a joint study group to examine the feasibility of a free trade agreement between India and the Eurasian Economic Union, which comprises five countries including Russia.
5. Science and Technology: India and Russia will collaborate in areas such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and biotechnology. The two countries will also work together to promote the use of digital technologies in healthcare.
The signing of these agreements marks a significant step forward in the India-Russia relationship. The two countries have long shared a close strategic partnership, and these agreements are expected to deepen and broaden this partnership further. With the two nations working together in areas such as defense, space, energy, trade, and science and technology, the future looks bright for the India-Russia relationship.