MoU signed between India and Russia for Smart Cities Scheme

October 19, 2016

Modi and Putin at the India-Russia summit

India today signed an agreement with Russia for cooperation in the implementation of the Smart Cities programme and the use of IT solutions of 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 extensive talks covering the entire scope of the 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.

Aimed at bringing forth a paradigm shift in the way of living in urban India, smart cities will enjoy uninterrupted power and water supply, internet connectivity, e-governance, along with robust infrastructure.

Furthermore, the two countries also closed 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.