'Stable Cong-led govt to boost Indo-Russian strategic ties'

MOSCOW: The return to power of the Congress-led government in India will boost the bilateral "strategic partnership" between New Delhi and Moscow, a top Russian expert on India said on saturday.

"The new Indian government enjoying a popular verdict will have a more focused and pragmatic Russia policy and is expected to further cement bilateral strategic partnership," said Dr Tatiana Shaumyan, the Director of Centre for Indian Studies of the Russian Science Academy.

Dr Shaumyan underscored that it was Congress government of Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, which after India's Independence adopted the policy of fostering friendship and cooperation with Russia's predecessor the Soviet Union.

"Our relations have survived all the changes in our countries, sometimes even dramatic, and have remained top foreign policy priority for the Kremlin and South Block even after change of guards. The reason is simple, the bilateral ties are based on vital common national interests and threat perceptions," Dr Shaumyan underlined.

According to her, the defence, security cooperation will further develop under the new Congress-led UPA government, which will also take a fresh look to cement economic interaction by energetically utilising new opportunities and openings amid the global downturn.