MOSCOW. July 9 (Interfax) - Russia and India will focus on joint production of defense technologies and systems as part of military-technical cooperation, a joint statement issued following talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said.
"In view of India's aspiration for self-sufficiency, the partnership is currently being refocused on joint research and development, joint development and production of advanced defense technologies and systems," the document published on the Kremlin's website said.
Furthermore, "the parties reiterated their commitment to increasing the number of joint military cooperation activities and expanding exchanges of military delegations," the statement said.
Russia and India also agreed to take "further steps to promote joint production of spare parts, components, units and other products in India in order to maintain Russian-made equipment and weapons in line with the 'Make in India' program through technology transfer and setting up joint ventures to meet the needs of the Indian Armed Forces, as well as, as agreed by the Parties, for subsequent export to third countries friendly to both countries."
"In this context, the Parties agreed to establish a new working group on technological cooperation and discuss its Regulations at the next meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Military and Military-Technical Cooperation," the statement said.