Russia agrees with India to construct 12 nuclear reactors

New Delhi: In a boost to their "special strategic partnership", Russia will build at least 12 nuclear reactors besides manufacturing advanced dual-used helicopters as the two countries signed 20 agreements in oil, gas, defence, investment and other key sectors on Thursday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin, in their annual summit, also vowed to take the close ties to a "new level" as both sides outlined a new vision and expand manifold cooperation oil, gas, electric power production and nuclear energy.

In the area of information, the Press Trust of India (PTI) and the Russian news agency Tass signed an agreement envisaging cooperation in exchange of news.

Calling Russia a "pillar of strength" for India, Modi, in a joint media interaction with Putin, said the strategic partner will remain New Delhi's "most important defence partner" though options have increased.

"President Putin and I discussed a broad range of new defence projects. We also discussed how to align our defence relations to India's own priorities, including Make in India.

"I am pleased that Russia has offered to fully manufacture in India one of its most advanced helicopters. It includes the possibility of exports from India. It can be used for both military and civilian use. We will follow up on this quickly," Modi said after around three-and-half-hour long meeting with Putin that comprised restricted as well as delegation level talks.

Referring to cooperation in the nuclear sector, Modi said both sides have charted out an ambitious vision for nuclear energy of at least ten more reactors and noted that they will have the highest standards of safety in the world.

"It will also include manufacture of equipment and components in India. This also supports our Make in India policy," he said.

The strategic vision document on nuclear cooperation said the two Sides have decided to fast-track the implementation of agreed cooperation projects for nuclear power plants.

"Both Sides will strive to complete the construction and commissioning of not less than 12 units in the next two decades, in accordance with the Agreement of 2008," as per vision document finalised by the two countries for nuclear cooperation.

The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and Russia's ATOMSTROYEXPORT (ASE) also signed an agreement for setting up of unit 3 and 4 of Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant. The document marks commencing of the implementation of the project.

The 20 agreements signed between the two countries provided for cooperation in a spectrum of areas including nuclear energy, oil and gas, health, investment, mining, media and wind power.

Terming the talks as "substantive", Putin said Russia will support "joint high technology" projects and will facilitate the establishment of an Indian operator of mobile communications besides offering India its civil aviation aircraft.