India and Russia will focus on deliverables in defence and strategic communications besides taking forward talks on partnerships in nuclear energy and hydrocarbons spheres during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to Moscow .
As is the tradition during summits in Moscow, Dr. Singh will also meet Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, architect of restoring India-Russia ties that were in disarray during the Yeltsin era.
Briefing newspersons, Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai painted a wide canvas of issues that would be taken up during the Prime Minister's two substantial interactions with Mr. Medvedev and Mr. Putin scheduled on Friday.
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This is the twelfth time the two countries will maintain the ritual of holding standalone annual summits every year besides meeting regularly on the sidelines of international meets.
Having expressed disinterest in gas deposits in Yamal Peninsula on account of extreme weather conditions, given its energy woes, India is now keen on discussing modalities for teaming up with Novatech for exploration. Talks will also be held on other opportunities as Russia opens up its strategic deposits though there are stiff terms. The two sides will try sorting out the taxation problems facing Imperial Energy, bought in haste by ONGC and an important vehicle for taking forward India's quest for fossil fuels in Russia.
An important event taking place on a day Russia joins the World Trade Organisation, will be an important event taking place on that day will be an India-Russia CEOs meet with Tata Motors MD Ravi Kant and Sistema chief V.P. Evtushenkov in the chair. Dr. Singh and Mr. Medvedev will have a brief interaction with 20 CEOs and ask them to prepare the ground for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.
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Dr. Singh will be accompanied by the National Security Adviser, Principal Secretary to Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary and senior officials.
“Energetic efforts have been under way to not only maintain the momentum but also infuse greater content in our bilateral ties. In the last few months, bilateral visits and talks have taken place at the levels of Home, External Affairs, Defence, Commerce, Health, Tourism, Steel and Power Ministers,'' said Mr. Mathai. On the next two units of Kudankulam, Mr. Mathai said discussions “are in advanced stages and there were prospects for taking them forward very soon”.