Now Russia says let’s produce MiG-29s jointly

The IAF has already received a request for information on the fighter aircraft purchase from Russia. And while India is yet to respond, sources said, Moscow has taken note of the US offer and conveyed a similar intent to strengthen its bid to bag the deal. The upgraded Russian MiG-29M2 also did a demonstration flight at the Bangalore Aero Show in March.

With India also keen on expanding the scope of its defence relationship with Russia, detailed talks are expected between National Security Advisor M K Narayanan—he will stay back while the PM returns on Tuesday—and his Russian counterpart Igor Ivanov. Incidentally, Narayanan may also meet his US counterpart Stephen Hadley during his stay.

Russia has also positively responded to the Indian request for better serviceability arrangements for Russian equipment being used by Indian forces.

Rosobornexport, which is involved in the manufacture of the upgraded MiG-29s, will soon be setting up a centre in India to service Russian military equipment. It will also help ensure a more regular supply of spares.

Further, Indian Ambassador to Russia Kanwal Sibal said India had responded to the Russian request for an intellectual property rights agreement at the government level—the Indian draft was handed over to Moscow during Defence Secretary A V Singh’s visit on April 25-26.

‘‘Russia was earlier keen to apply this with retrospective effect, but this has now been sorted out and they have dropped this demand. The agreement will be applicable on prospective agreements,’’ said Sibal.

Besides defence, India will look to nudge Russia on the supply of additional nuclear reactors to the Koodankulam plant where Moscow is already involved in building two 1,000 MW reactors. India is keen on four more reactors but Russia has cited its commitments to the Nuclear Suppliers Group as a major constraint in taking this forward.

It’s also learnt that India will draw Russia’s attention to the legislation on preventing pilferage from nuclear facilities that the government proposes to table before Parliament next week. It is hoped that this will assure Russia about India’s commitment to these issues despite it not being a member of the NPT.

Moreover, with the US now showing flexibility by initiating an energy dialogue, New Delhi will hope to prompt a Russian rethink.

This apart, Sibal said, India and Russia are close to finalising an agreement that will aid Moscow’s entry to the WTO. On the energy front, Petroleum Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar is expected to be here later this month to carry forward discussions on fresh Indian investments in oil fields like Sakhalin 3 and Kurmangazy.

Energy will also be one of the key issues at the trilateral meeting of the foreign ministers of India, Russia and China proposed for June 1 at Vladivostok. Discussions in the trilateral context, sources said, could translate into more ambitious projects in the future.