The Hindu : Kalam for sale of Brahmos cruise missile to friendly countries

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Dec 05, 2002

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Kalam for sale of Brahmos cruise missile to friendly countries

By Our Diplomatic Correspondent

NEW DELHI Dec. 4. The President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, today called for marketing of the Brahmos anti-ship cruise missile, jointly developed by Russia and India, to "friendly countries''.

Dr. Kalam said Russia and India had made impressive strides in joint design, development and production of the high-technology Brahmos. The bilateral defence relationship included joint research and development, scientist-to-scientist interaction and service-to-service contacts.

At a banquet for the visiting Russian President, Vladimir Putin, Dr. Kalam said: "The joint venture supersonic cruise missile is a unique example of the partnership between our two countries in critical areas of research and development. The missile crossed another milestone when it was flight-tested from our interim test range in Orissa in April 2002. Our cooperation in this area has solid foundations and will continue to serve our mutual needs.''

The President's direct and pointed remarks at the state banquet in the presence of Mr. Putin can only serve to send a message that the defence relationship between the two countries is deep and growing.

Dr. Kalam said India and Russia had a stake in each other's unity and integrity, strength and stability, security and prosperity. "We also have a stake in helping to create an international environment in which our mutually-shared interests and aspirations can be advanced. We have a shared vision of a multi-polar world built on consensus and accommodation of different views and interests,'' he stressed.

The President said the Russian leader, on his previous visit to India two years ago, had referred to the "arc of instability'' stretching from the Caucasus to Southeast Asia. "The epicentre of this arc is of course in our common neighbourhood.''

``The hostage crisis in Moscow a few weeks ago and the attack on temples in Jammu a week ago testify to the ruthlessness with which terrorists threaten ordinary, innocent persons in the street. We know such acts are often undertaken with foreign assistance,'' he said.

``The international community should target not only those who perpetrate acts of terrorism but also those who assist, finance, sponsor or otherwise abet terrorists. The struggle against terrorism would not succeed if it is not conducted in an integrated manner on a global plane,'' he said.

There could be no distinction between terrorists and freedom-fighters, without confusing the debate on terrorism by speaking of its so-called "root causes'' because terrorism cannot be justified on any grounds whatsoever, without adopting double standards. Dr. Kalam stated that the joint statement issued by the two countries today also stressed the need for international peace, security and stability, with determined action for total elimination of international terrorism and religious extremism.

In his banquet speech, the Russian President said disagreements or conflicts had never overshadowed the long-standing friendship between Moscow and New Delhi. "We have always been able to reach an understanding.'' ``Our countries share common views on the key issues in global politics. We are jointly fighting international terrorism which has challenged our civilisation. We are ready to cooperate in promoting human rights, global and regional stability and sustainable development,'' Mr. Putin underlined. ``We intend to create new opportunities in our bilateral trade and economic cooperation. Our overall objective is to promote public and business initiatives of our citizens,'' he stressed.

India's obvious success, Mr. Putin said in Dr. Kalam's presence, was manifested in the achievements of its scientists and engineers, progress in education and culture and formidable economic growth rates. "We are really glad to witness it.''

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