Russia on Monday expressed concern over bilateral investment issues.
In an indirect reference to Sistema Teleservices and Kudankulam nuclear plant, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin called on Governments to “demonstratively” help business representatives to solve the issues that emerge in their contacts with the bureaucracy.
“We should never reconsider the rules of the game after the game has begun and we should follow the rules till the game is over,” Rogozin said at press conference at the conclusion of the 18th India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission meeting.
His statement assumes importance in the backdrop of Sistema Shyam Teleservices Ltd losing its licence after the Supreme Court cancelled 122 of them on account of “illegalities” in manner in which 2G spectrum was allocated by the Telecom Department during the tenure of then Telecom Minister A. Raja.
The Russian Government and Sistema hold around 74 per cent in SSTL. SSTL has approached the court seeking relief.
Rogozin justified the move pointing out that “business is indivisible from the State, it is our taxpayers so they should not be regarded separately from the State.”
External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna called upon businesses not to be intimated by certain obstacles that do come up in a democratic society.
He said Russia’s entry into the World Trade Organisation will provide a new impetus for businesses in both countries, including to the small and medium enterprises.
Kudankulam plant
On the Kudankulam nuclear plant, Krishna said he was hopeful reaching a mutually acceptable resolution.
“Today, we did discuss the preparatory work for units three and four. A credit agreement for units three and four was finalised in July. A further techno-commercial agreement is still being negotiated by the experts,” he said.
Differences in perception over the nuclear liability law are yet to be ironed out between India and Russia in negotiations on units III and IV of the plant.
Earlier, addressing the Commission meeting, Krishna said the two sides discussed policy-level concerns and willingness to facilitate greater exchanges between businesses.
The need for strengthening contacts in the IT and hydrocarbons sectors was also emphasised. The meeting also laid the groundwork for the forthcoming visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin for the 13th India-Russia annual summit scheduled later this year.