Russia, India ink oil, gas, nuclear energy deals
By Ria Novosti
Russia and India have signed intergovernmental agreements on cooperating in the oil and gas and nuclear energy spheres as well as jointly developing information technologies.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev began his official two-day visit to India on Tuesday during which he is scheduled to meet with his Indian counterpart Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
The Russian and Indian foreign ministers signed an agreement on easing visa requirements for certain categories of citizens. The countries’ governments have also agreed on joint cooperation in emergency situations.
Russian Energy Minister Sergei Shmatko and Indian Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Murli Deora have inked an intergovernmental agreement on developing cooperation in the oil and gas sphere.
The sides also signed a memorandum on widening cooperation in using nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. An agreement was reached to establish a joint technological center.
Russia’s ministry of industry and trade and India’s ministry of chemical industry and fertilizers have signed a memorandum on cooperation in pharmaceuticals and biotechnologies.
A number of commercial documents were also signed during the visit. The State Bank of India and Vnesheconombank (VEB) signed a memorandum on cooperation. VEB also inked a memorandum of understanding with India’s Export-Import Bank.
Russian petrochemical giant Sibur and India’s Reliance Group have agreed on establishing a joint venture on producing butyl rubber in Jamnagar in the Indian state of Gujarat.
