Christian Wagner, Head of Research Division of the German Institute of International and Security Affairs, Germany

— This new agreement certainly underlines the importance of Russia for the Indian energy market

It underlines that India has now been accepted by the main nuclear powers as a reliable partner.

I think that India and Russia have a long history of cordial relations. Russia has been the main supplier for Indian military technology. Besides, Russia has always been very active in building nuclear power plants. So, in that sense I think what wee see today with the new contract is continuation of the former cordial relations. Of course, after the end of the Cold War, Russian-Indian relations have also undergone certain reality changes, but I think despite new competitiveness by other nuclear powers, especially American companies, Russia has still a very important role to play. This new agreement certainly underlines the importance of Russia for the Indian energy market.