Major defence, trade deals high on agenda of two-day Putin visit to India

The much-anticipated two-day visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to India that will commence from Thursday will provide an opportunity for the leadership of the two countries to review progress in bilateral relations, set the vision for strengthening the ‘Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership’ and exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.

According to Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov, President Putin’s visit will deliver “significant outcomes” across strategic, defence, energy, and trade sectors. The visit is set to further consolidate a relationship rooted in “mutual understanding, partnership, and a shared vision of global affairs based on the rule of law”.

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President Putin will be visiting India from December 4 to 5 for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Ahead of his visit, the Russian president said Moscow aims to “elevate cooperation” with India and China to a “qualitatively new level”.

Speaking at an investment forum in Moscow on Tuesday, he said the objective of the numerous joint projects in energy, industry, space, agriculture, and other sectors is to elevate the ties with Beijing and New Delhi. “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,” he added.

Putin further said that he has established substantive dialogue on economic issues with Chinese President Xi Jinping and look to continue the same with PM Modi during his 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 said.

During his India visit, Putin will attend the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit and hold talks with PM Modi.

Earlier, Kremlin Spokesperson Dimitry Peskov said that the sale of additional S-400 long-range anti-aircraft missiles could be on the agenda during the visit. “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,” he said.

Russia also hopes to discuss the possibility of India acquiring the Su-57 fifth-generation stealth fighter. “SU- 57 is the best plane in the world. SU57 will be on the agenda,” said Peskov.

“As far as our cooperation in the defence industry goes, let’s remember the 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. We’re developing 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.