NEW DELHI: Russian President Vladimir Putin said that that Moscow aims to “elevate cooperation” with India taking its partnership to a “qualitatively new level,” establishing substantive dialogue on economic issues.The Russian President’s remarks come ahead of his two-day India visit from December 4-5 for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Speaking at an investment forum in Moscow on Tuesday, Putin said the goal of multiple joint projects across energy, industry, space, agriculture and other sectors, is to elevate ties with India.“We aim to elevate cooperation with the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of India to a qualitatively new level by strengthening its technological component. This is the objective of numerous joint projects in energy, industry, space, agriculture, and other sectors,” Putin said.The Russian President said that Moscow has a “substantive dialogue” with Chinese President Xi Jinping on economic issues and hopes to continue the same with PM Modi during his upcoming visit.“We have established a substantive dialogue on economic issues with the President of the People’s Republic of China, Mr. Xi Jinping. We will also discuss these topics in detail during the upcoming visit to India with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, including increasing imports of Indian goods to our market,” he added.
Defence deals likely to dominate talks
Earlier, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov had said that discussions could include the sale of additional S-400 long-range air defence missiles.“Highly on the agenda and this could be discussed. Our military industry is working pretty well. Russian arms 36 % in Indian armed forces and hopefully will continue,” Peskov said.He said that Russia also hopes to take forward talks on India potentially acquiring the Su-57 fifth-generation stealth fighter. “SU-57 is the best plane in the world. SU57 will be on the agenda,” he added.Peskov highlighted the depth of defence cooperation, including the BrahMos programme. “As far as our cooperation in the defence industry goes, let’s remember famous Brahmos missiles. It’s not only just production or it’s not only acts of buying or selling, it’s exchange of high technologies, and it really paves the way for a bright future in this field of cooperation,” he said.“We’re developing quite, quite a variety of very complicated systems. And in this sense, of course, we have capabilities. We are ready to share this with our Indian friends, our experience,” he added.Russian Sukhoi-30 jets form the bulk of India’s fighter fleet, and the Su-57 offer is expected to come up in this week’s talks, two officials familiar with the matter told Reuters. However, India has not yet taken a decision on the aircraft, the official added.
Possible nuclear energy agreement
Peskov further confirmed that there was the possibility of an agreement on Nuclear energy between India and Russia during the visit.“There will be an offer for a small reactor. Russia possesses important tech, small and flexible reactors. Russia has real experience in producing small reactors. We’re exchanging mutual investments, joint investments and it makes this kind of cooperation even more valuable for our countries, in terms for securing future of this country,” Peskov said.“We were deeply involved in creating a sector of peaceful nuclear energy in India, in Kudankulam, and so we were hoping for the continuation of this project,” he added.
Discussions on additional S-400 units
India has no plans to scale back defence ties with Russia, even as its crude oil purchases fluctuate. Discussions on additional S-400 units are also likely, defence secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh indicated last week, according to Reuters.Analysts say recent US–Russia talks on the Ukraine conflict could make it easier for India to deepen engagement with Moscow, though the broader relationship faces strain.“A large part of the trading relationship was based on energy, which is now losing traction under the threat of sanctions from the United States,” Harsh Pant of the Observer Research Foundation told Reuters. “And at the end of the day, only defence remains, which continues to bind the two together,” he added.
