To build 12 N-plants with help of local firms; vow to unite against terror

Moscow, December 24

India and Russia today decided to expand cooperation in various sectors as they signed 16 pacts, including one on joint manufacture of 226 military helicopters and another on construction of 12 atomic plants with involvement of local companies in India.After extensive talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Narendra Modi underlined the need for the world to unite against terrorism “without distinction and discrimination between terrorist groups and target countries”, an apparent reference to Pakistan.Sharing concern over terrorism, the two sides pressed for joint fight against the global menace “without selectivity and double standards”, said a joint statement issued after the talks between the two leaders.Putin conveyed Russia’s “strong support” to India’s bid for permanent membership of the UN Security Council.The pacts covered various sectors such as hydrocarbon exploration, railways, solar power, customs, space and easing of travel.One of these was an agreement on manufacture of Kamov 226 helicopter in India, which, the Prime Minister said, was the first project for a major defence platform under “Make-in-India” programme.On nuclear energy, Modi said the pace of cooperation was increasing and progress was being made on 12 Russian reactors at two sites in India. Putin said unit-II of Kudankulam atomic plant would be commissioned within weeks and negotiations were at an advanced staged for units III and IV. — PTI