Moscow, Nov 12 : It snowed in Moscow today, and what better climate for bilateral ties between India and Russia to thaw after a short period of doubt and uncertainty.

The two sides inked four agreements aimed at boosting their relationship further in different spheres.

The first agreement was signed between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Russian Federal Space Agency in the field of joint moon exploration.

This was signed within the framework of the agreement between the two countries on cooperation in the field of exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes.

The other agreements included one on cooperation in development and production of multi-role transport aircraft, another on general letters of exchange (on utilisation of rupee debt funds for Russian investments in India), and cooperation to combat illicit trafficking in narcotics, psychotropic substance and their precursors.

There is an ongoing dialogue and exchange of views between the New Delhi and Moscow on various issues of mutual interest in the recent past. Even Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said before leaving for Russia that Moscow has a "special and unique" place in India's foreign relations.

In the past, the strategic relations between India and Russia have been comprehensive, embracing political, military, cultural and economic cooperation and exchanges. Ties reached a peak in August 1971 with the signing of the “Indo-Soviet Treaty of Peace, Friendship and Cooperation.”

However, the bilateral relationship was good only till China figured in Russia’s threat perceptions. This was when China was engaged in a quasi-strategic alliance with the US.

Former Indian Foreign Secretary J. N. Dixit wrote in his book 'Across Borders: Fifty Years of India's Foreign Policy' that “by the middle of 1989, Indo-Soviet relations drifted into a situation, presaging the need for their complete re-casting which had to come about with Gorbachev's removal…”

Such a scenario surfaced as the 1971 treaty, which aimed at securing India against threats from China and Pakistan, was no longer relevant to a situation in which India would be in a confrontation with both Beijing and Islamabad.

Russia apparently saw the paradigm switch towards China under former President Mikhail Gorbachev. This switch was followed up by his successor Boris Yeltsin, and now, President Vladimir Putin also seems inclined to give China overriding priority in his country’s foreign policy relationship.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a special issue of 'Foreign Policy of the Russian Federation' in July 2000 that Moscow “intends to strengthen its traditional friendship with India, including in international affairs and to overcome problems persisting in South Asia and strengthen stability in the region.”

New Delhi has also expressed optimism on the future of the bilateral strategic partnership between the two nations, with Manmohan Singh saying, “Indo-Russian relations will grow to great heights.”

"India and Russia have enjoyed close ties of friendship and partnership over the last sixty years. Russia occupies a special and unique place in India's foreign relations. Our time-tested relationship is based on deep mutual trust and understanding," Singh said a day before embarking on the visit to Russia.

Pointing out that the evolution of the bilateral relations will be based on the solid foundation of the last sixty years, he said, ”I see a continuing convergence and similarity of our world views on major international issues,” adding that India saw Russia as its "most important partner" in defence cooperation.

"Russia is the only country with which we have a formal mechanism of an Inter-Governmental Commission for military-technical cooperation, which meets annually under the chairmanship of the two defence ministers. Defence cooperation is an integral element of our strategic partnership. Joint research, development and production of defence equipment will continue to play an important role in strengthening India's strategic partnership with Russia," Singh said noting that many defence contracts between the two nations are at various stages of implementation.

Earlier, during the visit of Putin to India in January, the two sides had signed a Protocol on holding 'Year of Russia' in India in 2008 and 'Year of India' in Russia in 2009. The 'Year of Russia' will be inaugurated in early 2008 and the yearlong programme will include exhibitions, trade fairs, seminars, book fair, film festivals, industry interactions, fashion and food events and various cultural performances.

This year, India and Russia are also commemorating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between them (13 April). In this regard, a Plan of Major Events adopted during Putin's visit to India in January is being implemented. (ANI)