Russia has called for stepping up cooperation with India in high-tech areas, and is willing to share its experience in disaster management.
“Russia is very anxious that our two countries step up cooperation in high-tech areas such as civilian aircraft and submarines,” Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram said about his meeting on Wednesday with Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov, whose responsibilities cover industry, defence and space.
Discussed Pakistan
The two also discussed Afghanistan and Pakistan in the context of the impending withdrawal of the U.S.-led NATO forces.
“Russia fears a spill-over of terrorism from Afghanistan, while our problem is the Taliban, which is both in Afghanistan and Pakistan,” Mr. Chidambaram told Moscow-based Indian media.
The Home Minister arrived here on Tuesday for a three-day visit, at the invitation of Emergency Situations Minister Sergei Shoigu to study the Russian experience in disaster management.
This is the first visit by an Indian Home Minister here in the past 15 years.
“Russia has offered technical assistance in setting up a disaster management centre in India similar to the one they have in Moscow,” Mr. Chidambaram said.
‘Impressive facility’
After visiting the Russian centre, he said it was a “very impressive facility” that used sophisticated technology and Glonass, Russian version of the global positioning system.
India already has a national, State, and district crisis management authorities.
“The next step is to set up a crisis management centre where all information will flow and decisions taken and transmitted to the agencies concerned,” Mr. Chidambaram said.
Joint commission
During his meeting with the Russian Emercom (Emergency Situations), the Minister said, both sides discussed the Russian proposal to set up a joint commission to implement the December 2010 intergovernmental agreement on cooperation in dealing with natural and man-made disasters.
Mr. Chidambaran suggested that India and Russia share experience in forecasting tsunami and other natural calamities.
