News and Events /STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP KEY TO WORLD PEACE: MINISTER MR. RAJASEKHARAN 23 Jan 2007

(Seminar on Six Decades of Indo-Russian Historic Relations)

The mere continuation of violence cannot negate the need for non-violence, and it provides an added reason and imparts further urgency to our search for peace, for which strengthening the strategic partnership between India and Russia is very much needed. This was said by Mr. M. V. Rajasekharan, Union Minister of State for Planning, Government of India, addressing a Seminar "Six Decades of Indo-Russian Historic Relations". The Seminar, dedicated to the visit of the President of the Russian Federation, Mr. Vladimir V. Putin, on the occasion of the Republic Day of India celebrations, was jointly organized by the Russian Centre of Science & Culture (RCSC) and the Foreign Policy Research Institute at the RCSC, 24, Ferozeshah Road, New Delhi, on January 19, 2007.

The Minister further made it categorical that looking at the overall history of our relations with Russia and the current development, the friendly relationship between our two great countries is strengthened and improved further to attain greater heights and our strategic partnership would be further consolidated, particularly after the forthcoming visit of President of the Russian Federation, Mr. Vladimir V. Putin, for which all of us are eagerly awaiting.

Earlier, in his welcome address, Mr. Fyodor A. Rozovskiy, Director, RCSC, said that with the diplomatic relations established between the erstwhile Soviet Union and India even prior to the advent of India's independence, Russian-Indian remain a unique role-model for other counties to emulate. In continuation he noted that being dedicated to the ensuing official visit of President of the Russian Federation, Mr. Vladimir V. Putin, on the occasion of the Republic Day of India celebration, the Seminar, indeed, has special significance.

Addressing the elite gathering comprising members of diplomatic corps and others, Prof. M. M. Verma, Director, Foreign Policy Research Institute, who conducted the programme, narrated in the right sequence the significant landmark events taking place in the long annals of Indo-Russian relations in the last six decades.

Mementos were presented to Members of the Presidium and veterans of Indo-Russian friendship by the Foreign Policy Research Institute.

Laying deep stress on the necessity of further consolidating Indo-Russian relations, Dr. (Prof.) P. K. Patasani, M. P., Chairman, Foreign Policy Research Institute, expressed the hope that Russia, indeed a friend in need helping India in times of difficulties and helped build its economic infrastructure will remain a reliable partner as long as the history.

Tracing the earlier period of history, Mr. Bali Ram Bhagat, President, National Committee, India-Russia Friendship Society, pointed out that the historical and traditional links between India and Russia have systematically developed into mutually-beneficial cooperation and consistent relations covering different spheres of life, coupled with commonality of interests and concurrence of views, have thus culminated into strategic partnership.

Emphasizing the decisive nature of Russian-Indian cooperation in the core sectors of industry and trade, defence, science and technology, Mr. Vasily M. Glazachev, Counsellor (Finance), Embassy of the Russian Federation in India, hoped that the bilateral interaction and mutual visits by leaders of both countries would certainly provide an impetus to the on-going tie-ups.