Annual Report 2007 - Observer Research Foundation

STUDIES &
INITIATIVES
(left to right)
● Amb. G. Parthasarathy, Amb.
Hamid Ansari with Amb. Rasgotra
informally discussing India-
China relations after Chinese
President’s visit to India.
● Mr. Dilip Hiro speaks on “Conflict
in Middle East and energy
supplies and for the world”.
● Mr. Lodi Gyari (R) talks on “Status
of talks between Dalai Lama and
China. C. Rajamohan chairs the
talk.
● A discussion on “Situation in
Balochistan”.
Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan, especially in the backdrop of the Russian
influence in the region. The region is geostrategically vital for us, given its location as well as the
energy resources in the region. The region also offers potential for economic expansion and can be
a lucrative market for Indian goods. Both India and Russia have historic linkages towards Central
Asia and working closely with Russia in the region will help India in strengthening our relations
with the Central Asian States. The study looks into Central Asian Republics’ ties with India and
Russia and explores the possibilities of further cooperation.
The draft of the monograph on India-Russia Energy Cooperation is completed and submitted for
review. The monograph on India-Russia Energy Cooperation examines bilateral energy cooperation,
especially in the hydrocarbon and nuclear sectors between India and Russia. It gives an overview
of India’s energy security concerns and briefly lists the Russian resources, pipeline systems
and hydrocarbon majors. The various options available for India to bring Russian oil and gas supplies
to the country and the potential difficulties that we could face in this endeavour are addressed
by the study. Potentials for cooperation in the nuclear sector are also explored.
TALKS AND INTERACTIONS
The Eurasian Division organized a talk and Interaction session with Dr Sergei Rogov, Director of
the Institute of the USA and Canada at the Russian Academy of Sciences at ORF on 17th August
2006. It was agreed that Dr. Rogov’s Institution and ORF would launch a Track II Initiative in
2007. The Division also arranged Dr Rogov’s meetings with senior officials.
Dr. Vyacheslav Nikonov, President, “Polity” Foundation, Moscow visited India on our invitation
and delivered a talk on “Political Situation in Russia in the run-up to the 2008 Presidential
election” on 6th December 2006. The Division also arranged for Dr. Nikonov, formal and informal
interactions with senior officials and academics.
On 20th November 2006, the Division organised a talk by Mr. Anand Bordia, (Former Member-
Finance, National Highway Authority of India), and presently with ADB on the topic “Afghanistan
16 Observer Research Foundation ◆ Annual Report 2007