MOSCOW. Nov 12 (Interfax-AVN) - Russia and India have approved the idea of holding training exercises and contacts between various kinds of armed forces on a regular basis, according to a joint statement adopted following the Russian- Indian summit in Moscow on Wednesday.
The two countries said that Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov's visit to India, scheduled for late November, "will contribute to further strengthening cooperation in the important area of bilateral contacts as military-technological ties," the statement says.
Russia and India welcomed their joint Navy exercises conducted in 2003 and agreed that such exercises and contacts between various kinds of armed forces should take place regularly.
The statement also noted the two countries' progress in such areas of military-technological cooperation as joint research, developments, professional training, and contacts between different kinds of armed forces.
"This kind of cooperation not only helps sustain peace and stability at regional and international levels, but is also mutually beneficial and meets the national interests of both countries," the document states.