Monday, December 5 2005 19:45 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Moscow: On the eve of his summit-level talks with President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today (Dec 5, 2005) said India and Russia must initiate dialogue to widen their cooperation for energy security and asserted that working together in the space sector would be a 'win-win proposition' for both countries.

Delivering the 'acceptance speech' after being conferred with the title of 'Professor Honoris Causa' at the Moscow University here, Singh also said Russia and India must fight terrorism wherever it exists because terrorism anywhere threatens democracy everywhere. He also talked about the opportunities for expanded cooperation between the two countries in the fields of biotechnology, information technology and nano-technology and for a strategic partnership in the knowledge-based sectors.

Emphasising that India's need for energy is increasing exponentially and Russia has been an important partner in its strategy for energy security, Singh said, "We must initiate an Energy Dialogue between experts and policy makers in our two countries to widen and deepen our cooperation in this field." Describing energy security as an important challenge of the 21st century, he said Russia and India can work together in this field.

Singh, who is on a three-day official visit, is likely to discuss with Putin the possibility of Russia delivering four additional nuclear reactors for Koodankulam project.