Russia and India paved the way for intensified defence co-operation Tuesday as Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Russian President Vladimir Putin talked up a "strategic partnership" between the two Soviet-era allies in Moscow.
"We have a very special relationship when it comes to matters related to defence," Singh said at the start of a meeting with Putin in the Kremlin, referring to a "strategic partnership" between the two countries.
"We know, mister prime minister, that we have questions that we must discuss with you - the development of our trade and economic relations. Here we have much to do," Putin said.
A key agreement signed in the presence of the two leaders Tuesday will protect intellectual property rights for Russian technology used in joint arms building projects.
The Kommersant daily said the agreement "on the defence of intellectual property rights prevents either side from using technologies received from the other without special permission."
Russian officials pushed for the deal as the two countries build on strong Soviet-era ties, expanding joint defence construction projects and Indian arms building that foresees the use of Russian technology.
The projects include an Indian plan to build the country's first nuclear submarine, joint construction of a multi-purpose transport plane and plans for joint work on a fifth generation fighter jet, Kommersant said.
Russia is planning to lease two Shchuka-B nuclear submarines to the Indian navy and some 200 Indian naval officers are already training at a Russian naval base near Saint Petersburg as New Delhi prepares to build up its own nuclear submarine fleet, Kommersant said.
Singh, who is on a three-day visit to Moscow and is set to leave Wednesday, met Putin at the Kremlin for talks that officials said would focus on bilateral co-operation and setting specific goals for its development.
Ahead of Singh's trip to Russia, Indian officials said the prime minister would look to develop long-term energy co-operation with Russia, including a possible partnership for Indian companies at Russia's Sakhalin-III oil field.
Existing joint arms projects between India and Russia include construction of BrahMos anti-ship missiles and the building of Su-30 MKI fighter jets and T-90 tanks in India under licence.
Current defence contracts between the two countries are worth nine billion dollars (7.6 billion euros) and a further 10 billion dollars in deals are planned, Indian Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee was quoted by Russian media as saying during a visit to Moscow last month.
Two other agreements will allow India's use of a Russian navigation system made up of 14 satellites known as Glonass for peaceful purposes and Indian involvement in a Russian scientific research project on the sun.
Also Tuesday, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Zhukov was quoted by Interfax news agency as saying the question of Indian debt to Russia amounting to two billion dollars would also be settled in the course of Singh's visit.
Repayment of the debt should be in the form of Russian investments in India as opposed to large purchases of Indian goods by the Russian state, Zhukov said, without providing further details.
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