1.
GV FROM LEFT Mr. Skachkov and Mr. Dhar sit down
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2.
GV Soviet delegates
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3.
GV Both delegates prepare to sign ZOOM INTO SV & CU Mr. Dhar signing (2 shots)
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4.
MV Mr. Skachkov signing
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5.
CU Dhar signing
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6.
CU Skachkov ZOOM OUT TO GV Dhar signing
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7.
CU Portrait of Gandhi on wall
0.45

8.
MV Delegates shake hands and exchange pacts and delegates applaud and sit down
1.02



Initials BB/2325/GR/DW/BB/2347



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Delegates to the Inter-governmental Indo-Soviet Commission on Economic, Scientific and Technical Co-operation signed a Protocol in New Delhi on Saturday (February 17th). The Protocol envisages continued co-operation between the governments of the two countries, and prepares the way for Soviet aid in the expansion of several Indian industries.

The Protocol came at the end of the First Session of the Indo-Soviet Commission, which commenced its proceedings on 9th February. The Commission was set up in accordance with an Agreement signed by India and the U.S.S.R. in Moscow on 19th September 1972.

On Thursday the chief signatories to the Protocol were Mr. S.A. Skachkov, Chairman of the Soviet State Committee for Foreign Economic Relations, and Mr. D. P. Dhar, Indian Minister for Planning.

The Protocol singled out several specific projects for Soviet aid, including expansion of the steel plants in Bhilai and Bokaro, the design and construction of a copper-mine and concentrator in Madhya Pradesh, production of oil and natural gas, additional oil refineries, and development of the Indian electronics industry. The soviet Union also undertook the design and construction of an underground railway in Calcutta.