India, Russia ink MoU for cooperation in smart cities scheme

New Delhi: India today signed an agreement with Russia for cooperation in the implementation of ‘smart cities’ programme and use of IT solutions of the Russian companies.

The agreement was signed between JSC Rusinformexport and the Urban Development Ministry, Ministry of Home Affairs, National Buildings Construction Corporation Ltd and the Haryana government, according to an official statement.

The agreement was signed in Goa where Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin held wide-ranging talks covering the entire expanse of bilateral engagement.

India plans to have 100 smart cities by 2022. Out of which 60 have been chosen — 20 in January, 13 in May and 27 last month. The remaining will be picked by 2018.

Meant to change the way urban India lives, smart cities will enjoy uninterrupted power and water supply, internet connectivity, e-governance, along with quality infrastructure.

Besides this, the two countries also sealed a number of big ticket defence deals including purchase of missile systems, frigates and joint production of helicopters besides deciding to deepen cooperation in a range of crucial sectors even as the two close allies resolved to fight the menace of terrorism unitedly.

PTI