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New Delhi. There is a preparation to give a new dimension to the relations between India and Russia. The summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin is likely to sign several agreements to strengthen cooperation in key areas of defence, trade and investment, energy and technology. Along with the summit, in the first ‘two plus two’ defense and foreign ministerial talks, the two sides are also expected to discuss the situation in Afghanistan and the growing threat of terrorism, including from groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed. .
It is being told that the joint statement to be issued after the summit may express India’s concerns about cross-border terrorism and the impact on security due to the Afghan crisis. Putin will reach Delhi on Monday, while Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Defense Minister Sergei Shoygu will arrive only on Sunday night.
The 21st India-Russia Annual Summit being held in New Delhi is very special as it will seal important defense agreements. The last India-Russia annual summit was held in September 2019 when Modi visited Vladivostok. Last year the summit could not take place due to the Kovid-19 epidemic. Prime Minister Modi and President Putin will meet before the summit.
The Foreign Ministry said that Prime Minister Modi and President Putin will start the summit at 5.30 pm and the Russian leader will take off from Delhi at 9.30 pm. In view of the summit, India has approved the pending AK 203 Kalashnikov Rifles agreement worth about Rs 5,000 crore for the manufacture of more than five lakh AK-203 assault rifles at Korwa in Amethi.
The two sides are also expected to complete the final stages of negotiations for a logistics cooperation agreement. This agreement can be signed in summit talks or ‘two plus two’ talks. Along with this, the Russian President will also hand over a model of the S-400 air defense system to PM Modi as a symbol of the delivery of the weapon system to India during his one-day visit.
Apart from announcing the Joint Commission on Technology and Science of India and Russia, the summit is also likely to set the roadmap for the next decade for military-technical cooperation. The two sides are also likely to discuss a number of defense procurement proposals apart from discussing the pending project for joint production of 200 dual-engined Kamov-226T light helicopters for the Indian Armed Forces.
According to sources, India can convey to Russia its concerns on various regional developments as well as its stand on the eastern Ladakh border dispute. When asked about Russia’s possible role in resolving the dispute, sources said India has always believed that issues should be resolved bilaterally.
He said that despite the current situation of Kovid-19 in Russia, President Putin’s decision to visit India shows the importance he attaches to the relationship with India. “December 6 will be all-Russian Day,” a source said, citing important meetings one after the other. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh will hold talks with his Russian counterpart Shoygu. Apart from this, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will hold talks with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov. After this, the Foreign and Defense Ministers of both the countries will hold ‘two plus two’ talks at 11.30 pm.
Sources said agreements would be signed in various fields including trade, energy, culture, defense and technology. Another source said, “We have very stable relations with Russia apart from global geopolitical changes.” On cooperation in the field of defense, sources said that both sides will focus on co-production and co-development of military equipment and platforms. Citing investment relations, he said that the target of $ 30 billion has already been achieved in 2018 and now the target is $ 50 billion by 2025.
When asked about Russia’s strong objection to the Quad comprising India, the US, Japan and Australia, the sources said New Delhi does not belong to any faction and will provide issue-based cooperation based on the situation arising in the Indo-Pacific. Used to be. He said Russia appreciates India’s vision for the Indo-Pacific. Sources said that India is also keen to enhance trade ties with Russia’s Far Eastern region and 11 governors of the region have been invited for the upcoming Vibrant Gujarat summit.
