'India wants to apply BrahMos experience to other platforms'
Moscow, May 7: India today said it wants to replicate the success of Russian-assisted BrahMos supersonic missile project to other defence platforms and equipment as military-technical cooperation between the two strategic partners was built on a strong foundation.
Embarking on his first five-day visit to Russia as the Head of the State, President Pranab Mukherjee said, "Our military-technical cooperation is built on a strong foundation. It now includes joint research, design, development and production of advanced defence systems. The BrahMos supersonic missile project is a vivid illustration."
"We believe that the 'Make in India' initiative provides exciting new opportunities for India-Russia collaboration in setting up manufacturing facilities in India for Russian weapons systems, their sub-assemblies and components," Mukherjee told Russian news agency 'Itar Tass' ahead of his visit here.
The President said it has been discussed with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who responded very warmly to this approach.
"We are also putting in place more active service-to- service exchanges, training cooperation and regular military exercises," he said.
Speaking on external policy including terrorism and having a multi-polar world, he said the relationship between two countries covers a wide canvas including cooperation in multi-fora and consultations on global security issued and regional developments.
He said the threat of terrorism in the "shared neighbourhood" is a matter of concern for both Russia and India.
"The
threat
of
terrorism
in
our
shared
neighbourhood
is
a
matter
of
common
concern.
We
work
together
in
G-20
and
BRICS
to
promote
our
shared
interests.
We
look
forward
to
Russia
steering
BRICS
as
its
Chairman
this
year.
"India
has
also
been
participating
in
the
activities
of
the
Shanghai
Cooperation
Organisation
as
an
Observer,"
he
said.
PTI