Vickram Bahl: Welcome, Mr. President.
India and Russia have been friends for a long time. Our relations, mainly in the defense area, have developed in recent years as well as before. We had good relations in civil industries but recently it is defense cooperation that has come to the fore. How will relations between our countries in the defense area develop in the future, now when you mentioned the readiness to move from a buyer-seller relationship to a true partnership?
Dmitry Medvedev: I will try to explain how I see the future of this relationship. But first of all, let me express my condolences over the barbaric terrorist attack that took place in Mumbai. We all sympathize with the Indian people, with all those in the plight, and we believe that such terrorist raids are extremely dangerous: they destroy peace and order, and, unfortunately, take a lot of lives. This is what happened in Mumbai.
I believe that those events will be investigated in the nearest future, but no matter the outcome of the investigation, no matter who was behind those raids, it is clear that they were directed against order, they were meant to damage statehood, and they pose a great threat to society. Russia joins the voices of condemnation and expresses deep sympathy with all victims' families and all Indian people. I also said that to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during my telephone conversation with him.
Vickram Bahl: I have a question regarding those terrorist attacks. Do you have plans to cooperate in a certain way with India in the area of counter-terrorism in the future?
Dmitry Medvedev: We are ready for a full-fledged cooperation on all counter-terrorism issues with India. We do have very good and friendly partnership, it is strategic relationship. Of course, we are ready to help our Indian friends in countering terrorism, it is a common threat. Unfortunately, Russia has repeatedly faced this problem, and the threat of terrorism is not over for our country. Therefore, we stand ready for cooperation in all areas with a view to preventing such acts of terrorism, investigating the recent attack, and establishing a global system of protection against terrorism. I mentioned that during my phone conversation with the Prime Minister of your country as well.
Vickram Bahl: Let me go back to the issue of defense, to the areas where you have plans to develop cooperation and where you propose to move from a buyer-seller relationship to a true partnership.
Dmitry Medvedev: Despite the fact that we have deep and full-fledged relations and true cooperation, our ties in such areas as defense, security, and arms trade were based precisely upon the buyer-seller relationship. We would like to move to deeper relations. We have some projects of this kind, for example, the BrahMos project but it is not enough. In this regard, we expect to come up with some new forms of cooperation with our Indian colleagues. It could be technology exchange or new joint ventures as well as other forms of cooperation that will benefit both sides. Certainly, we do not rule out but rather encourage usual trade relations, both in the field of arms trade and, naturally, in other fields, but deeper cooperation and deeper and complementary interaction look very promising because our world today requires more sophisticated methods of doing business, more competitive ones.
As to our trade relations, they are developing very well on the whole. Last year the turnover between our countries was more than five billion USD. This year, I believe it will be seven billion that is not a bad figure on the whole. But considering the potential and the character of relationships between Russia and India it is not enough. And the task is not just to increase this figure through greater turnover, which is also very important, but it is necessary to focus on the quality of the turnover as well. Since Russia is traditionally exporting certain types of weapons, machines and certain types of raw materials, while India, in its turn, is exporting food stuffs and pharmaceuticals, and products of pharmacological companies.
I believe that we could enrich this turnover with other great projects. And such an improved and streamlined structure of the turnover would be to the benefit of both Russian and India.
I hope that we would be able to address those things during my upcoming visit as well.
Vickram Bahl: A large part of Indian investments in the defense sector, for example the BrahMos, as of lately have been going to companies. Other investment opportunities are being reviewed as well, for example, the joint production of a multipurpose transportation aircraft. This would open up additional opportunities for civil engineering as well. During your visit do you plan to discuss this or any other projects of the type?
Dmitry Medvedev: You have already mentioned certain truly new forms of cooperation. I believe that, say, cooperation in the field of Hi-Tech, such as telecommunications, is especially interesting and useful. And here our countries have a common field for interaction. As you know, both India and Russia have a very good Hi-Tech potential, a potential for creating new software, computer research, as well as surfing in the Internet. I believe that such interaction and projects in the future could be very useful, because, from the viewpoint of creativity, I think that our nations have a lot in common, as well as the ability for creative research and practical implementation of their results.
We should not though fail to mention other great spheres of cooperation. In particular, I must point out, for example, cooperation in the field of nuclear energy. This is a serious and mutually beneficial field for joint work. And we consider that during my visit the prospects in this field will be further discussed.
By the way, I would also like to congratulate our Indian colleagues with the relevant approval by the Group of Nuclear Suppliers. Now, the development of nuclear projects and nuclear energy in India will obviously obtain in effect a fundamental, industrial foundation.
Vickram Bahl: Back to the issue of defense.
You have reviewed the possibility of joint production of fighter aircraft of the fifth generation, and even production of tanks in India. There were talks of leasing out to India of a nuclear submarine.
What will be agreed in the next few months, perhaps even during your visit?
Dmitry Medvedev: We are developing contacts and we have agreements in the areas that you have outlined in your question. I think that we will continue to move forward on these tracks as well. These issues are very interesting, including as regards the development of a fighter aircraft of a new generation because this is a great interesting project. And from experience we know that our Indian colleagues are interested in implementing this project.
The issue concerns also cooperation in the field of leasing of nuclear submarines. This is also indeed an important area of cooperation involving high technologies. As concerns other spheres, we stand ready to move forward in these spheres. These projects are costly, because they require lots of money. But considering the interest of our Indian colleagues in these issues and the potential of the Russian Federation we are willing to enhance cooperation in this field as well.
Vickram Bahl: Speaking of contracts. One contract is pending, so-to-say. The one on the Admiral Gorshkov.
How are things developing on this front, because costs are rising and the issue stands unresolved between you and the Indian government?
Dmitry Medvedev: The issue is not the easiest one in our relations, yet I see nothing extraordinary in this current situation. I believe we should simply demonstrate mutual attention and agree on the final parameters of cooperation on this project and go on with it till its full implementation.
Vickram Bahl: As to the BrahMos. It has been mentioned that the missile could be exported to friendly countries provided that the producer acted as a private company. This requires the approval of the authorities of both counties. How do you view the prospect of BrahMos exports?
Dmitry Medvedev: This issue requires, at least, clear mutual understanding, because we all have international obligations. And what we are doing for each other is in line with those international agreements that have been achieved. As concerns shipments of products to third countries this should take place, first of all, in accordance with international agreements that are binding for both the Russian Federation and India as regards non-proliferation of nuclear weapons as well as other issues related to shipments of weapons. But when we stay in the legal field, when we speak about cooperation that is legally sound, we do not exclude anything. But let me underscore once again that when it comes to these very sensitive issues we should be very careful in reviewing each other’s positions. This requires verification.
Vickram Bahl: And there is another question, Mr. President – that of submarines. Was there a tragic accident on one of your submarines? Did it affect the negotiations on the sale or lease?
Dmitry Medvedev: There is no any negative influence on our relations because, unfortunately, this sad accident, which is now under investigation, according to the information that we have now, was a result of the so-called human factor, i.e. because of inadequate qualification of some team members and it does not characterize the state of this project, of this nuclear submarine. Nevertheless we will carry out the full investigation and its results will be published.
Vickram Bahl: In the private sector, if you talk about developing relations between people, between businessmen, the visa regime is one of the prerogatives. It is difficult to get a visa, it is difficult to get multiple visas and it especially affects the small and medium enterprises, those who want to come to Russia and examine the business opportunities. Maybe you would consider the possibility of making these regulations easier?
Dmitry Medvedev: Absolutely, we should make everything possible to facilitate the visa regime. We have already a number of visa indulgences, according to which persons with diplomatic and service passports can travel without any obstacles. However, in addition to diplomats and civil servants, as such, there is a very significant and extremely important category of persons, who have to travel regularly between India and Russia, I mean businesspeople. And this is for such purposes, in order that businesspeople from India and Russia could travel with minimum difficulties and fewer formalities, I believe that we could prepare a document on visa privileges or on facilitating the visa regime. It seems to me that it would favour our countries, our business community.
Vickram Bahl: There is one more field – that is of information. Small and medium enterprises do not have enough information about the business opportunities in our countries. How they will contact each other, establish business relations? Are you planning to create any information centers in India or implement any other such initiatives that could help to fill this information gap between India and Russia?
Dmitry Medvedev: It’s true, this is very importantbecause business, as a rule, must have a good information and by far not all the small and medium enterprises are able to receive a fundamental report on activities of any companies, and indeed, to make our markets open for each other it would be very interesting to create such information center or to have any other place where the information on potential partners would be accumulated. Particularly taking into account that now we can use Internet and other means of communication. If such an information center should be created on the basis of the Indian-Russian Business Council this database should include, as it seems to me, a maximum volume of information on potential partners. At the same time, this system should be accessible for all.
Everybody who is interested in the development of contacts, for example, with the Indian partners, should have a possibility to enter the system, to be registered there and leave some information. Otherwise, there cannot be any progress and good contacts cannot be established. So, as it seems to me, this is a good idea.
Vickram Bahl: Now, to the issue of energy.
India is looking towards Russia in the area of nuclear energy as much as, say, in the oil and gas area. And the energy companies have been recently discussing the construction by Russia of a nuclear unit in Kudan-Kulam.
What does the “Road Map” for the relations with India look like? Are you planning to sign an agreement on nuclear energy with India? Will the Indian companies participate in the current projects, for example, in the Sakhalin Project? Or, the Indian companies will be allowed to deal with the production and exploration of mineral resources on their own?
Dmitry Medvedev: Yes, they exist. I think that these projects are good.
If we talk about the Sakhalin Project – where the ONGC participates – this is a large, big project. And it seems to me, this project is mutually beneficial. I hope that our Indian partners are also satisfied with this cooperation.
As far as the nuclear cooperation is concerned, you have mentioned Kudan-Kulam. It seems to me that this word speaks for itself. And we expect that in the nearest future this is in the nuclear area that we will be able to launch new projects. In any case we have a direct interest in it. As far as I understand, our Indian partners are also fully interested in it.
And as far as new ideas, new projects are concerned. You have mentioned one of the Russian companies, to which the Indian investments have now come. Probably you know that the Federal Anti-Monopoly Service of Russia has approved that deal, so our Indian partners can enter into the rights and implement projects within this company. But we, naturally, do not exclude other areas of cooperation. Therefore, when you talk about the ”Road Map“ I think that this ”Road Map“ may include all directions, all roads: a traditional gas direction, oil direction and that in the area of nuclear energy.
Vickram Bahl: Mr. President, as for the multi-polar and equitable world where we all could live, you said a lot about it. This is precisely the world, multi-polar world, that you wish to be shaped, where everybody will have a say. What is your assessment of the current situation in different ”hotbeds“ and what are your expectations in terms of the role of India and Russia and their cooperation in the crisis settlement in these ”hotbeds“?
Dmitry Medvedev: It is precisely because we represent fast-growing large countries (and India is a very large country) that build the very multi-polar world for which we should generally work in fact. Because nobody can envision a situation with development taking place only in one part of our world or only in one country, as well as nobody can envision another situation with decisions affecting the entire world being taken in one state even if this state is strong, powerful and reputable. And that being so, we should create a multi-polar world both in a political and economic sense.
When we consider multi-polarity from the political point of view, even given the existence of such fundamental institutions as the United Nations, diverse regional associations such as the SCO where India has an observer status, other organizations, for example regional ones, there is always a chance to intensify our work in the format of the so called BRIC, i.e. four fastest growing economies of the world. All these components constitute elements of the multi-polar world, and in this context we believe that we fully cooperate with India as our most important partner in the field of foreign policy.
As for the economic component, a great variety of economic schemes exists here. Today we cannot even imagine that some most important global problems are considered, for example, without Russia or India. Quite recently, during the meeting in Washington, we discussed how to overcome by joint efforts the financial crisis that paralyzes today the financial system in many countries. It is quite obvious that without cooperation, without mutual cooperation with India nothing can be done. That is why I perceive the multi-polarity as the only way of doing business, the only way of developing relations in the present-day circumstances. When various poles exist, when they interact with each other, they shape an international agenda and create a ”texture“ of international economic relations. India occupies here its own, well-deserved place.
Vickram Bahl: As for the Georgian crisis, are you expecting support from India in the form of recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states?
Dmitry Medvedev: You know, from the very beginning when the decision to recognize South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states was taken, I stated the following position of the Russian Federation. We have made this step, it was anything but a simple step, this decision is final, we will assist these states and develop contacts with them in all areas and we will be glad if other states also establish diplomatic relations and economic contacts with them. But, certainly, we will not impose our point of view upon anybody. In this sense our position is completely constructive. Indeed, we believe that these states are fully established and acquired legal personality, but the issue of their recognition or non-recognition, the issue of their support or denial of support should be resolved by other states themselves. In this sense we never impose our point of view upon anybody.
Vickram Bahl: Mr. President, what do you expect of Barack Obama?
Dmitry Medvedev: It’s necessary for the US president-elect to start working. Before that all discussions on how he will work, what achievements he will make, whether he will be able to overcome the financial crisis and to resolve a range of complicated political problems – first of all for America itself, such issues as Iraq, Afghanistan and a number of others – is just a guess-work. However, we anyway expect the new administration to take constructive, reasonable stance, to show willingness to compromise on the most difficult issues. In this sense what we have recently heard from Washington makes me feel moderately optimistic. But in politics it’s important not only to talk but rather do something. That is why we are awaiting the formation of a new administration of the United States of America, we wish it every success and I personally wish every success to the new President of the United States. The future will show all the rest.
Vickram Bahl: Now the question that everyone keeps asking you and that you have heard many times. Yet I will ask it once again: are we moving towards a new version, a new ”edition“ of the Cold War?
Dmitry Medvedev: I don’t think that we are on the verge of some new version of the Cold War. At least I would hate it.
Indeed, we have found ourselves in a situation when a number of our partners made harsh statements, when we heard talks of some restrictive measures. But in my view, first of all, all these talks led to nothing and could not lead to anything because in the present-day world any attempts to isolate a country – especially such country as Russia – are undoubtedly doomed to failure. And since it is so, there is no sense and no use in talking about any new ”Cold War“ and another iron curtain.
Moreover, I can say that there is no ideological ground for that. In the past it was at least ideologically substantiated: two worlds, two systems and competition between them. Today we share the same values. It is only necessary to ensure that these values are understood in the same way. And that is the most difficult thing.
Vickram Bahl: President Putin was a very successful president. You are also expected to achieve a lot – to bring Russia to an even higher level.
What are you planning to undertake – other than what President Putin has already done – and what would respond to the people’s aspirations?
Dmitry Medvedev: Work of any president, any leader of the state always differs from that of his predecessor regardless of the fact that my colleague, the former president and current Chairman of the Government Vladimir Putin and I have very good friendly relations, special relations. But it is absolutely clear that his work is his work while my work is my work. Indeed, for eight years when Vladimir Putin was the head of state, we witnessed some achievements – both when we talk about domestic politics and when it comes to maintaining the state's authority. My task is to develop these achievements, to reach new quality, new quality of life inside the country and today – to overcome the consequences of the financial crisis and to strengthen our country’s authority abroad. Thus, the tasks remain the same. It is the methods, the tactics, and sometimes the style that change. But the tasks remain the same. And if these aims are reached then it will be a success and probably the answer to your question.
Vickram Bahl: Mr. President, what do you think about further development of relations with India? As far as I know, Mr. President, you have not yet visited India, and this will be your first visit to our country. What vision of India do you have, as President?
Dmitry Medvedev: It is with great and genuine interest that I am coming to India as it is not only a partner that have good-neighbourly and friendly relations with Russia but it is also a special country with ancient culture and gifted people. Wherever you make your first visit to such a state, there is a genuine interest. I have not yet happened to visit India, neither as tourist nor as an official. So, all this facts are generating my particular interest. However, apart from my purely personal interest, I expect that we will make progress in all areas of cooperation between our countries. I believe that the negotiations with my Indian colleagues will be efficient, fruitful and exceptionally interesting.
That is why I keep thinking about visiting your country and it will be a great pleasure for me.
Vickram Bahl: Mr. President, have the recent terrorist acts made you afraid?
Dmitry Medvedev: If we think of the consequences caused by such attacks, and moreover if we are afraid of them, that will only mean that terrorist achieve their goals. It will be the worst possible scenario. Therefore, despite any conditions, we are eager to develop our relations with India, and in the near future our delegation will pay you a visit.
Vickram Bahl: Mr. President, thank you for our meeting.