Putin gives PM Modi a gift of meeting, Russia will send India to S-400 missile and consignment
Russia’s S-400 missile system.
Moscow/New Delhi: The bilateral talks of PM Modi and Russia President Vladimir Putin at the recent Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Taenzin, China have started deepening the relationship between the two countries. Russian President Putin has announced to give the first gift of meeting to PM Modi. According to the Russian news agency TASS, Russia will soon send an additional consignment of the S-400 air defense missile system to India.
The talk going on in India-Russia
According to TASS, talks are going on between India and Russia over the S-400 surface-to-air missile systems. Russia’s Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation chief Dimitri Shugayev said that India is already operating the S-400 system and discussion is going on about the new delivery.
India has already signed a $ 5.5 billion deal
It is worth noting that India had signed an agreement of $ 5.5 billion (about ₹ 45,000 crore) with Russia in the year 2018, under which five S-400 triumph systems were to be purchased. The purpose of this deal was to strengthen India’s air defense against China’s growing military power. However, the deal has been repeatedly delayed. Now delivery of the last two units has been scheduled for 2026 and 2027.
Despite America’s pressure, India continued shopping from Russia: Lavrov
Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavarov said on Wednesday that India refused to bow down to the US pressure, stating that India should stop buying resources from Russia. Despite American pressure, India continued to buy oil from Russia. Lavarov said that Moscow appreciates this attitude of India.
Russia still the largest defense supplier of India
Despite increasing defense purchases from France and Israel, Russia still remains India’s top defense supplier. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), 36% of India’s total arms imports between 2020 and 2024 came from Russia.
Long list of India-Russia defense cooperation
India and Russia have collaborated in various defense projects for decades, including T-90 tanks and SU-30 MKI fighter aircraft in license production in India, supply of MIG-29 and Kamov helicopters, INS Vikramaditya (East Admiral Gorchkov) aircraft, AK-203 rifles in India and Brahmos missile programs.
S-400’s big role in Operation Sindoor
In India’s retaliation against Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, the Russian S-400 system successfully destroyed many enemy missiles, which proved its capacity. India-Russia resolved to further strengthen the strategic partnership. Earlier this week, India and Russia pledged to further strengthen the strategic partnership, especially at a time when tension between India and America is increasing.
India and Russia firm friends
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said during a meeting with President Vladimir Putin in Beijing that “India and Russia have always supported shoulder to shoulder even in the most difficult times. The meeting was held during the annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Sangathan (SCO) and at the same time the US doubled the fee on Indian goods to 50%, including 25% additional duty on Russian oil purchases.
Dialogue on economic, energy and financial cooperation
According to the details issued by the Government of India, Modi and Putin’s conversation focused on bilateral cooperation in economic, energy and financial sectors. During the meeting, Prime Minister Modi invited President Putin to come to India in December, saying, “140 million people of India are eagerly waiting to welcome you to India. It is a symbol of the depth and prevalence of our special and privileged strategic partnership. Modi further said that close cooperation between the two countries is not only for their citizens, but also for global peace, stability and prosperity.
Car informal conversation after SCO Summit
Prior to the official meeting, Modi and Putin had informal conversations in the same car for 45 minutes. It was told that Putin kept waiting for Modi for about 10 minutes and then the two leaders traveled together towards the meeting site after other activities of the SCO Summit.
India’s appeal for peace on Ukraine struggle
In his address, PM Modi said that India welcomes all the recent efforts to establish peace in Ukraine and also added that humanity calls for the way to end the struggle as soon as possible.
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