MOSCOW. Dec 2 (Interfax-AVN) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has criticized the level of trade turnover between Russia and India.
"The level of our trade turnover is not simply low, but unacceptably low. In the past two years, it has not topped USD1.5bn. This is a very low figure for our countries," the Russian president said in an interview with the Indian newspaper Hindu and the TV channel Star-TV in the run-up to his visit to Delhi.
The two countries should pay closer attention to mutual investments and the establishment of joint ventures, Putin said. "For instance, there are good examples in the military-technical sphere. We have already launched joint projects and joint production of very sophisticated and promising weapons systems, which - I would like to emphasize - we do not do with other countries. And all this practice should be definitely employed in the civilian sphere as well," he said.
In addition, Putin noted, Russia and India should focus their attention on improving settlements in the financial sphere, which promotes business. "We should, of course, tackle all issues concerning logistics, transport, communications, and so on. We have good pilot projects in the energy and high-technology fields, and they call for support at the government level. In other words, there is a certain base, a starting position from which success could be developed," Putin said.
An intergovernmental commission on the development of financial and commercial links should pay its role in this, he said.
When asked about military-technical cooperation between Russia and India, particularly whether Russia could sell India a nuclear submarine or help India to create it on its own, Putin noted, "As for a submarine, surface vessels, planes, or missiles - we are holding negotiations on this at the expert level. As I have already said, we are even producing a sea missile together, and it is of a very high quality."
As regards cooperation in the nuclear or contiguous spheres, "there are certain limitations dictated by Russia's commitments as a member of the nuclear club and all non-proliferation instruments," Putin said. "This is a specific problem, we discuss it with our Indian partners and resolve many issues. I must repeat that Russia can resolve them only within the framework of obligations it assumed under international law," he said.
Elaborating on Russian-Indian military-technical cooperation, Putin noted, "we are making some progress as regards warships." "Our arguments and proposals meet understanding of our Indian partners. As you know, we are working together on building two units of a nuclear power plant - this already concerns the civilian sphere. And, as far as I know, the partners are satisfied with one another at the present time," he said.
In addition, Putin said Russia is willing to hold consultations under the Shanghai Cooperation Organization as regards India's possible involvement in its work, as it had earlier aired its interest in this.
"We are prepared to hold consultations with our partners within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and with the Indian partners to see together in what capacity India would like to participate in the organization's work and then make a joint decision. I believe India's participation in common work would enhance the status of this organization and would expand a circle of issues it is engaged in, which would be positive," Putin said.
Replying to a question, the Russian president said the Shanghai Cooperation Organization is open for other potential members.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization currently comprises Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.