Putin declares India a `great power` |
During the summit in Delhi between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and a simultaneous dialogue of 2+2 between the respective defense and foreign ministers, India and Russia conclude major defense deals. This includes the strategic S-400 air defense system and procurement of AK-203 assault rifles. The two countries have also agreed to expand military cooperation during the 20th meeting of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military & Military-Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-M&MTC) held in New Delhi. On the S-400 deal, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said the S-400 deal isn`t only symbolic rather it is a very significant practical meaning for an Indian defense capability. The contract for procurement of quantity 6,01,427 AK-203 assault rifles was finalized. This will be done through the Indo-Russia Rifles Pvt Ltd. The two sides formalized the agreement on the Program for Military-Technical Cooperation from 2021-2031. The protocol is on for amending the agreement between India and Russia on cooperation in the field of Kalashnikov arms manufacturing dated Feb 18, 2019. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh led the Indian delegation, while the Russian side was headed by Shoigu. The two also signed the Protocol of the 20th IRIGC-M&MTC. While the first three documents were signed by the officials of two sides, the Protocol was signed by the Defence Ministers of India and Russia. IRIGC-M&MTC is one of the two intergovernmental commissions with the other one on trade, economic, scientific, technological and cultural cooperation. Rajnath termed Russia as India`s long-standing special and privileged strategic partner and appreciated Moscow`s strong support for Delhi. He called defense cooperation one of the most important pillars of the bilateral partnership. The IRIGC-M&MTC meeting was followed by the maiden 2+2 dialogue between India and Russia. During the 2 + 2 dialogue, India and Russia focused on ways to boost bilateral cooperation in areas ranging from defence to energy and a coordinated approach to regional issues such as the situation in Afghanistan as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin met in New Delhi. In his televised opening remarks at the summit, Putin described India as a “great power” and a time-tested friend, and said Russia works with India in the military-technical field “in a way that we do not work with any of our partners”. Modi noted in his opening remarks that this was only Putin`s second foreign visit since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic and reflects his personal commitment to bilateral relations. The Indian Prime Minister said the India-Russia friendship has “remained constant” despite many fundamental changes on the world stage and the two countries have cooperated closely while paying attention to each other`s sensitivities.
|
|
|
|