The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh inspecting the Guard of Honour at the ceremonial reception on his arrival at the Vnukovo-II International Airport to attend the Annual India-Russia Summit, in Moscow, Russia on December 06, 2009. The Deputy Foreign Minister of Russian Federation, Mr. Andrey Ivanovich Denisov is also seen.

Following is the text of the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh’s statement in New Delhi today, prior to his departure to Russia for the Annual India-Russia Summit:

“I am leaving today for Russia at the invitation of President Dmitry Medvedev for the Annual India-Russia Summit. I had earlier visited Russia in June 2009 to attend the BRIC and Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summits. President Medvedev had earlier visited us in December 2008. The Annual Summit is the principal mechanism for the advancement of our strategic partnership with Russia . This is a partnership based on the solid foundation of long-standing friendship, deep mutual trust and strong convergence of interests. Over the years, our multifaceted cooperation with Russia has acquired greater depth and maturity through joint efforts. We seek to strengthen these ties further.

At the Summit meeting with President Medvedev, I hope to review the status of our bilateral cooperation, including in the key areas of defence, civil nuclear energy, space, science and technology and hydrocarbons. I will also exchange views with the President on key regional and global issues such as terrorism, recovery of the global economy, energy security, climate change, nuclear disarmament and reform of international institutions.

During the visit, I will also meet Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, under whose Presidency we had established the strategic partnership between our two countries in 2000. Prime Minister Putin and I will jointly attend the closing ceremony of the Year of India in Russia . I also look forward to meeting the members of the India-Russia CEO’s Council along with Prime Minister Putin. These events symbolize the mutual desire of both countries to enhance people-to-people contacts, and expand our trade and economic engagement, which is well below

our true potential. I also look forward to interacting with Russian intellectuals and scholars during this visit. We need to build upon the tradition of study and research of each other’s countries through greater contacts between the media and academic circles. I am confident that my visit will be yet another step forward in consolidating our cooperation with Russia and in reinforcing the fact that the India-Russia strategic partnership is a factor of peace and stability in the evolving international situation.”

Excerpts of President’s message on the Global Conference on Security Knowledge and Employability organized by the Central Association of Private Security Industry and the Association of Private Detectives and Investigators.

We are living in a world where the security environment is complex. Threats to security and stability arise out of many factors. Apart from crime and other law and order situations, the one issue that has had a deep impact on the way we live and conduct business, is the threat posed by terrorism. The exposure of innocent civilian population to random incidents of violence has increased, as terrorists have adopted more audacious and more insidious methods. While it is true that such factors have raised concerns about security and safety issues, it is also remarkable to note the determination of the people, not to be deterred by or to allow their lives to be disrupted by acts of terrorism. Any path to address security concerns requires measures that instill confidence in the minds of the public without creating alarm.

Terrorism is not a limited threat; it is a world wide operation. Today, many countries in the East and in the West, in the North and in the South, have been the targets of the nefarious designs of terrorists. It is a fallacy to think that any country or society can be immune to terror attacks. It is an ideology born out of hatred and its adherents belong to no religion, culture or civilization. An effective response to it would require a concerted, coordinated and cooperative effort by all Governments and by all citizens of the world who seek peace and development. The global compact against terrorism needs to be strengthened. In this context, the early conclusion of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism, which is currently being negotiated in the United Nations, will be important. Full Text

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh and the President of the Russian Federation, Mr. Dmitry Anatolyevich Medvedev witnessing the exchange of agreed signed documents, between India and Russia, in Moscow on December 07, 2009

India and Russia have entered into an agreement for the setting up of additional Russian reactors in India. The agreement, signed after talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on December 7, 2009, ensures uninterrupted fuel supplies to reactors supplied by and also gives reprocessing rights to India.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said, “Today we have signed an agreement that broadens the reach of our cooperation beyond supplies of nuclear reactors to areas of research and development and a whole range of areas in nuclear energy.” He added, “India accords the highest priority to its relations with Russia. This is a relationship that stands on its own footing and is not influenced by our relations with any other country.”

Mr Medvedev said, “We are satisfied with the cooperation and I hope today’s agreement will pave the way for greater cooperation in this field in the years to come.”