In a significant boost to their time-tested alliance, India and Russia on Tuesday signed some "very important" agreements related to the construction of the future power-generating units of the Kudankulam nuclear power plant.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, who is on a five-day visit to Russia, made the announcement after his "comprehensive and productive" meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov. "Today, we signed some very important agreements pertaining to future units of the Kudankulam nuclear power plant (NPP)," he said.

The two leaders observed the signing of agreements related to bilateral economic cooperation, specifically in the areas of nuclear power, medicines, pharmaceutical substances, and medical devices.

"Collaborations are done in areas of defence, space and nuclear [energy] with countries with which you have a high degree of trust," he added. Jaishankar also said that the two sides have agreed that their negotiating teams will meet by the end of January to start in-person negotiations on the free trade agreement between India and the Eurasian Economic Zone.

The Kudankulam nuclear power plant, located in Tamil Nadu, is under construction with technical support from Russia. The construction project started in March 2002. Since February 2016, the initial power unit of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant has consistently operated at its designed capacity of 1,000 MW. According to Russian state media, the plant is projected to reach its full operational capacity by 2027.

The relationship between India and Russia has remained robust despite Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. India has refrained from condemning the Russian invasion and has consistently emphasized the need to resolve the crisis through diplomatic means and dialogue.

India has witnessed a substantial increase in the import of Russian crude oil, even as concerns and unease about such transactions have been growing in several Western nations.

Image source: PTI