India and Russia have moved to consolidate their long-standing strategic partnership by signing a fresh Protocol aimed at intensifying cooperation in a number of important industrial areas, such as aluminium, fertilisers, railway transportation, and mining technology.
The deal was finalized during the 11th session of India-Russia Working Group on Modernisation and Industrial Cooperation under the umbrella of the India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation, India's Ministry of Commerce and Industry stated in a release.
Co-chaired by Amardeep Singh Bhatia, Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) of India, and Alexey Gruzdev, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, the session discussed progress made since the previous session and laid the foundation for increased interaction in several sectors.
Discussions noted intensifying bilateral cooperation in the aluminium, fertiliser, and rail industries, and intensified cooperation in mining. The priority areas of importance were capacity building, mining equipment technology transfer, exploration methods, and industrial and domestic waste management.
The meeting also highlighted future and new areas for collaboration. These include state-of-the-art aeronautical research, including proposals to create a state-of-the-art wind tunnel facility and manufacturing small aircraft piston engines. Co-operative programmes in leading-edge technologies like carbon fibre, additive manufacturing, and 3D printing were also discussed.
In addition, the two nations were interested in cooperation regarding rare earth and strategic mineral mining, underground coal gasification, and development of high-tech industrial infrastructure for the conduct of subsequent projects.
The meeting concluded with both co-chairs signing the formal Protocol, emphasizing the sharing of a common vision for the promotion of industrial and economic relations between the two countries.
The event was attended by approximately 80 delegates from India and Russia, including senior government officials, technical experts, and industry participants, as per the Ministry.
Read also| India Dismisses UK Parliamentary Committee Report as 'Baseless and Dubious'
