India, Russia can explore business opportunities in nanotech: Ajai Malhotra
The new Indian Ambassador to Russia has said the two countries can also explore business opportunities in biotechnology and nanotechnology.
By PTI | Updated:
MOSCOW: Upbeat about the prospects of bilateral ties in all spheres, Ajai Malhotra, the new Indian Ambassador to Russia, has said the two countries share a dynamic defence relationship and can also explore business opportunities in fields like biotechnology and nanotechnology.
Despite increasing global competition, India and Russia have "a dynamic and growing defence relationship, not a waning one," Malhotra, who will present his credentials to President Dmitry Medvedev at a Kremlin ceremony on July 14, said in an interview.
"Our defence cooperation is progressing well and is one of the important pillars of our special and privileged strategic partnership," he said.
The Ambassador noted that over the years, bilateral defence cooperation has transformed from a simple buyer-seller relationship into one involving joint research, joint development and joint production of advanced defence systems.
He said both countries will continue to consolidate their military-technical cooperation in a long-term perspective and also deepen service-to-service cooperation.
"The BrahMos cruise missile is a good example of this. Besides BrahMos, projects for the manufacture of T-90 tanks and SU-30MKI fighter aircraft are also being undertaken in India.
"More than that, we are jointly developing the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft. Similarly, we are co-developing a Multi-role Transport Aircraft," Malhotra underscored.
Despite increasing global competition, India and Russia have "a dynamic and growing defence relationship, not a waning one," Malhotra, who will present his credentials to President Dmitry Medvedev at a Kremlin ceremony on July 14, said in an interview.
"Our defence cooperation is progressing well and is one of the important pillars of our special and privileged strategic partnership," he said.
The Ambassador noted that over the years, bilateral defence cooperation has transformed from a simple buyer-seller relationship into one involving joint research, joint development and joint production of advanced defence systems.
He said both countries will continue to consolidate their military-technical cooperation in a long-term perspective and also deepen service-to-service cooperation.
"The BrahMos cruise missile is a good example of this. Besides BrahMos, projects for the manufacture of T-90 tanks and SU-30MKI fighter aircraft are also being undertaken in India.
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"More than that, we are jointly developing the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft. Similarly, we are co-developing a Multi-role Transport Aircraft," Malhotra underscored.
He also underlined an emerging partnership between the two time-tested partners in fields of innovation and modernisation.
India can be a reliable, long-term partner in Russia's modernisation programme, the Ambassador said adding the Indian companies have the capacity to invest and have the technological edge in many sectors.
"India can be a technology source for Russia in IT, pharmaceuticals and hydrocarbon processing. It can be a dependable partner in long-term arrangements concerning diamond-processing, fertilisers and hydrocarbons.
"Together we can explore business opportunities in sectors such as biotechnology, bioinformatics and nanotechnology," Malhotra said.
Malhotra arrived here in May to replace Prabhat Prakash Shukla, who completed his term in March on retirement from the Foreign Service.
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From day one, he has been reaching out to various sections of the Russian society. However, his decision to liberalise visas for the Russian tourists and business has won hearts and minds of millions, as Kremlin is embroiled in negotiations to seek easier visa from the European Union.
Malhotra's order for issuance of the six-month multi-entry tourist visas and one-year business visa to the Russian citizens in three working days hit headlines even in the local media in the remote towns of the vast Eurasian giant.
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