MOSCOW. Feb 25 (Interfax-AVN) - Russia and India have accelerated their joint project to develop a fifth-generation combat airplane, Army General Andrei Nikolayev, head of the State Duma's defense committee, told Interfax-Military News Agency on Tuesday.
Nikolayev made this statement ahead of his working visit to India.
"Russia is committed to broader defense ties with India and sees the development effort for a fifth-generation airplane as one of the most promising projects. The Russian leadership has moved to speed up this program," Nikolayev said.
The committee's head stressed that this issue is on the two countries' defense cooperation agenda and was given approval during January's session of the inter-governmental military- technical cooperation commission.
Russia and India have been cooperating in the sphere since 1960. "The value of contracts signed with the Indian party over this period of time exceeds USD33.3bn. Russia has met obligations for USD29.8bn," Nikolayev said.
Civilian trade turnover between the two countries does not exceed USD1.5bn per year, he noted.
At the same time, "Russian-Indian military-technical cooperation is not aimed against anybody," the committee's head went on. On the contrary, the parties are ready to use the bilateral potential for setting problems both in the Asia-Pacific region and in the entire world.
"In particular, Russia and India have vast experience in combating terrorism. A joint working group on countering terrorism and drug threat from Afghanistan continues working. Expert teams on terrorism, international and regional security have been set up in the framework of cooperation between the Russian and Indian Security Councils," Nikolayev said.
The Duma defense committee told Interfax-AVN that Nikolayev is expected to meet with Indian Defense Minister George Fernandes, Indian lawmakers and diplomats during his visit.