Russia has promised all assistance to India's first human space flight mission 'Gaganyaan' in 2022 as Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval held talks with Dmitry Rogozin, Director-General of Russia's space agency ROSCOSMOS here. "There have been frequent contacts between the two space agencies to finalise the details of the Gaganyaan Mission which will carry Indian astronaut to space in 2022, to coincide with India's 75th anniversary of Independence," the Indian External Affairs Ministry said in a statement said on Friday.
Russia has promised all assistance for India's Human Space Flight Mission and details regarding cooperation for the Gaganyaan Mission were discussed, the statement said, adding it also offered support to India in participating in the International Space Station. “Both sides agreed to take a strategic approach to elevate bilateral cooperation to the next level keeping in mind the special and privileged partnership and India's priorities such as Make-in- India programme,” the statement said.
Senior representatives of ROSCOSMOS, GLAVCOSMOS, Energia and Energomash were present from the Russian side while from the Indian side, ISRO Chairman and Department of Space Secretary K Sivan and the Director of the Human Space Flight Programme also attended the meeting. Cooperation in futuristic technologies including new space systems, rocket engines, propellants and propulsion systems, spacecraft and launch vehicle technology were also discussed at Thursday’s meeting.
"The Russian side stated that they would like to see India participate in the International Space Station, and offered its full support for this purpose," the statement said. Cooperation in space sector has emerged as a key focus of cooperation in high-end technology sector between India and Russia, it said adding “today there is new respect for India’s capabilities in outer space and Russia sees India as a key partner for promoting peaceful uses of outer space.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin had during his visit to India in October last year assured Prime Minister Narendra Modi of full cooperation in New Delhi’s efforts to put an astronaut in space.