Moscow: India and Russia today (Nov 12) signed 10 accords covering cooperation in various fields, including a Political Declaration on global challenges and threats to world security and stability.

The Declaration signed by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Russian President Vladimir Putin notes that international terrorism, transnational organised crime, illicit drug trafficking, money laundering and certain aspects of globalisation were major issues that required collective efforts.

The other documents signed by the two countries are:

- Protocol between Foreign Ministries of the two countries on joint publication of bilateral archive (diplomatic) documents.

- Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Russian Aviation and Space Agency on cooperation in the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes.

- Agreement of scientific cooperation and scientific exchange between the Department of Science and Technology and the Russian Academy of Science.

- Another MoU between these two departments for establishment of Indo-Russian Science and Technology Centre for gas hydrate studies.

- MoU for establishment of Indo-Russian Centre for Earthquake Research.

- Agreement on scientific cooperation and scientific exchange between Indian National Science Academy and the Russian Academy of Sciences.

PTI