Russia and India on progress in military-technical cooperation

Russia and India point to progress in military-technical cooperation, including joint research, professional training, and contacts between respective military branches, says a joint statement adopted at the end of the Russian-Indian summit in Moscow.

"Such cooperation not only contributes to maintaining peace and stability both on regional and international levels, but also benefits and meets interests of both countries," the statement runs.

The sides welcomed the opportunity to conduct joint naval exercises in 2003 and agreed that "such exercises and cooperation between relevant military branches must become a regular practice." According to the statement, the upcoming visit of the Russian Defense Minister to India, scheduled for the end of November 2003, will ensure the future development of Russian-Indian cooperation in the military-technical sphere.