The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh with the Heads of State of BRIC Countries, in Yekaterinburg, Russia
The major event of the month was Prime Minister’s visit to Yekaterinburg, Russia from 15-17 June to attend the SCO and BRIC Summits hosted by Russia. Prime Minister received a personal invitation to attend both Summits from President Medvedev; this was Prime Minister’s first visit abroad after the formation of the new Government in India.
The SCO Summit: It was also the first time that Prime Minister attended the SCO Summit since India became an ‘Observer’ to the SCO in 2005. In the past India has usually attended SCO Summits at the Ministerial level. There are many vital issues that link India and Russia, ranging from energy security, infrastructure development, agriculture, transportation, science and technology, education to the urgent need to combat the scourges of terrorism, extremism and drug trafficking.
The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh with the Heads of State Council of SCO, at the Plenary Session of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit, hosted by Russia, in Yekaterinburg
The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh meeting the Russian President, Mr. Dmitry Anatolyevich Medvedev on the sidelines of the BRIC and SCO Summits, hosted by Russia, in Yekaterinburg
The BRIC Summit: The BRIC Summit in Yekaterinburg was the first ever stand-alone Summit of BRIC countries. In the past BRIC Summits have usually been held on the sidelines of multilateral meetings. Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC), together account for 40% of the world’s population. Economic growth in these countries is likely to become the main drivers of global economic growth. It is now well accepted that continued economic success in these countries holds the key to rapid global recovery from the current financial and economic crisis. The discussions amongst the leaders at the Yekaterinburg BRIC Summit were particularly important in the context of ongoing international efforts to overcome the crisis.
Prime Minister held discussions with other leaders on how to intensify cooperation amongst BRIC countries on global economic issues, and on how to better prepare for the next G8 and G20 Summits. BRIC countries have a particularly important role to play in ensuring that decisions taken at the last London G20 Summit in April are not lost sight of. The leaders decided that the Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors of the BRIC countries along with experts in various fields would meet to chalk out further steps that need to be taken in this regard.
Bilateral Meetings
Prime Minister also held bilateral meetings on the margins of the Summit with President Medvedev of Russia, President Hu Jintao of China, President Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan, and President Zardari of Pakistan. Read more
India-Russia High Level Monitoring Committee (HLMC) held
In the Military Technical sphere, the second meeting of the India-Russia High Level Monitoring Committee (HLMC) was held in Moscow on 1 - 2 June. The Indian Delegation was lead by Shri Vijay Singh, Defence Secretary. Mr. Mikhail Dmitriev, Director, Federal Services on Military and Technical Cooperation (FSMTC) of the Russian Federation led the Russian Delegation. The Committee reviewed various ongoing projects, discussed issues of mutual defence cooperation and signed a Protocol identifying new areas for future cooperation.
India participates in 31st Moscow International Film Festival
Within the framework of the “Year of India in Russia 2009”, Government of India participated at the 31st Moscow International Film Festival on 19-28 June. Mr. Shyam Benegal participated as a Member of the Jury. In the Retrospectives Section, a Tribute to Shyam Benegal was organized comprising six of his films (Mammo, Samar, Suraj ka Saatvan Ghoda, Zubeidaa, Sardari Begum, The Making of Mahatma). Mammo was the inaugural film for the Shyam Benegal Retrospective.
Six films were screened in the Indian Panorama section - Yarwng, Billa, Fashion, Taare Zameen Par, Chaturanga and Kanchivaram. Mr. Madhur Bhandarkar, Director, Fashion, participated at the Indian Panorama which was inaugurated with the screening of Fashion. Satyajit Ray’s Jal Sansar was screened as part of a Special Programme on the Moscow International Film Festival 1959-2009. Government of India also participated at the St. Petersburg ‘Festival of Festivals’ International Film Festival held on 23-28 June.
Indian Naval Ship Beas in St. Petersburg
Indian Naval Ship Beas visited the port of St. Petersburg from 03 - 07 June as one of the highlight events of the “Year of India” in Russia. An official reception onboard the ship was hosted by Shri Prabhat P Shukla, Ambassador of India to Russia, on 03 June, which was attended by important dignitaries from the local city administration, Russian Navy, Diplomatic community, Industry and the local Indian community. A Joint Press Briefing by the Commanding Officer of Beas and Head of International Military Cooperation Department of Leningrad Naval Base, Russian Navy, was held onboard the ship on 03 June. A wreath laying ceremony by the ship’s Commanding Officer and crew was held at the “World War II - Piskaryovskoye Memorial Cemetery”on 04 June. Reciprocal visits by officers and sailors of Beas and Russian Naval Ship Steregushchiy were held on 04 & 05 June. Officers of Beas visited the Cruiser Aurora on 04 June and St. Petersburg (FRUNZE) Naval Institute on 05 June. The ship was open for visitors from the city from 1200 to 1700 hrs on 06 June and the response was overwhelming. In view of the large number of visitors, the time for the visit to the ship was extended up to 2100 hrs. On completion of its stay, the ship left the port of St. Petersburg accompanied by Russian Naval Ship Stereguschiy on 07 June and joint exercise ‘PASSEX’ was carried out by the two ships on 07 & 08 June in the Gulf of Finland.
