Russia, India vow to enhance military, nuclear, anti-terror cooperation

Russia's President Vladimir Putin (R) shakes hands with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, December 23, 2015. [Photo/Agencies]

MOSCOW -- Russia and India vowed on Thursday to enhance military, nuclear and anti-terror cooperation in a bid to promote their "privileged strategic partnership."

"Large serial production of anti-ship missiles for India has begun," Russian President Vladimir Putin said after talking with visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"The prospect of jointly developing multi-function fighter jet and multi-purpose transport plane are promising, and the common effort to develop the BraMos missile system serve as a modal for our military-techinical cooperation," he added.

Putin assured Modi of Moscow's continuous help to build more nuclear power plants in India. Russia has built two such plants, with one of them having been put into operation in 2014 and the second one to come into service in the coming months.

The construction of the third and fourth plants were expected to start from next year, while details of another two were under discussion, Putin said.

Hailing New Delhi's role in helping solve global and regional issues, Putin voiced support for India's ambition for permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council.

While speaking highly of their cooperation within the BRICS framework, Putin also said Russia has been actively supporting India in joining the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).