By Martin Hacthoun, Prensa Latina,
New Delhi : Russia and India on Monday made a solid step to reinforce strategic relations by extending bilateral military cooperation for another ten years, after the current deal expires in 2010.
The agreement was signed by Russian Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov, and his Indian counterpart, A.K. Antony, who in press conference referred to Russia as “India’s confident partner whose relations have overcome the time test.”
Moscow and New Delhi created the Inter-governmental Commission on Military Technical Cooperation in 2000, to promote strategic relations and purchases.
Russia is currently India’s first supplier of arms and military technology, ahead of France, Israel and the US.
As part of the agreement, Antony pointed out Russia will supply 347
T-90 tanks, and another 1,000 will be made in India as part of a joint technological transference project.