Modi-Putin summit updates: India, Russia widen range of cooperation, exchange 8 agreements, MoU's at summit

India and Russia’s friendship is unique in itself: Modi

Modi and Putin discuss Syria, Iran

India and Russia discussed increasing mutual investments up to $15 billion

Putin said that mutual trade grew by 21 percent last year, and this year has been 20 percent, says Putin.

“If we continue moving at this pace, we will reach our goal faster,” Putin said.

Russia to collaborate with India on large infrastructure projects

Putin, in his address, said that the Russian railway company agreed to help build modern railroads in India.

Russia is also ready to help India launch a manned space mission.

Russia to help India become nuclear power

Putin said that Russia plans to share its defence technology and build 12 nuclear power units in India the next 20 years.

Putin invites Modi to 2019 Vladivostok Economic Forum

“It is my honour to invite Prime Minister Modi to the 2019 Vladivostok Economic Forum as the chief guest,” the Russian president said.

Modi positive about the future of India-Russia ties

“The decisions that were taken today will further strengthen our ties in a world filled with challenges,” the Prime Minister said.

He added: “India and Russia’s warm ties have always dependent on mutual respect and people-to-people contact including our youths. We believe with due contribution from President Vladimir Putin our ties will grow even stronger in the coming times.”

Russia has walked alongside India in all its endeavours: Modi

India and Russia have always traditionally maintained close ties in all matters of mutual importance, Prime Minister Modi said. He added that in the next space mission, Russia is helping India to put an Indian in space through our Gagan Yaan.

Modi reminisces Sochi meet, says India-Russia share unparalleled relations

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, welcoming Russian president Vladimir Putin, said that India and Russia have shared unparalleled friendship

Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin deliver joint statement in Delhi

Ravi Shankar Prasad encourages tech collaboration between India and Russia

IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Friday said saying that collaboration between India and Russia n areas such Artificial Intelligence (AI) and e-health would spur technology momentum of both the economies.  

Describing India’s relationship with Russia as one of “trust, understanding and reciprocity”, Prasad said the two sides had a common worldview on a variety of matters and that ties have remained immune from the political changes and other differences.  

“Indeed, it has acquired a new momentum because of personal chemistry and understanding between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin,” Prasad said addressing India Russia Business Summit organised by industry body CII.  

PTI

India-Russia ink deals worth $10 billion 

Reports have said that trade and defence deals worth $10 billion has been signed between India and Russia. With special focus on trade, defence and terror operations, the bilateral summit between the two countries started at around 11.30 on Friday in New delhi’s Hyderabad House.

Visuals of delegation level talks between Russia and India at Hyderabad House

India-Russia not transactional partners, but if bilateral ties sturdy enough to withstand current turbulence?

Experts have said that the relation between India and Russia isn’t a transactional one. In fact, the body language of both — Narendra Modi and Vladimir Putin — was that of comfort. The process of summit between the two nations started in 2000 and since then, the relationship has been elevated to a ‘ Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership .’ The India-Russia strategic partnership is important for a number of reasons, but the two countries also face significant challenges. The relationship in the last few years have undergone some big changes, not all of them positive. The key question therefore is to see if the age-old bilateral relationship is sturdy enough to withstand some of the current turbulence.

India-Russia defence cooperation to get a quantum jump

As the 19th India Russia bilateral summit concludes, defence cooperation between the two nations is poised to get a quantum jump  

India and Russia are expected to sign defence deals worth over $10 billion during the Summit. These include, apart from five S-400 air defense missile systems worth over $5.5 billion, four 1135.6 Krivak-class frigates worth $2 billion, $1 billion worth of light utility KA-226 helicopters and a contract agreement for the manufacture of 200 Kamov helicopters at an Indian facility.

The two countries are also expected to sign a government contract for the licensed production of over 6,00,000 AK-103 assault rifles for the Indian Army in an Indian ordnance factory. A report in The Tribune said that there is the “hush-hush leasing” of a third Akula-class nuclear-powered attack submarine from Russia in a $2-billion deal.

India-Russia joint bilateral meet underway

India signs deal for 5 Russian S-400 Triumf missile shield systems

• Manufactured by the Russian government-owned arms company Almaz-Antey, the S-400 Triumf is known as the SA-21 Growler by the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation or NATO.
• It can hit aircraft, cruise missiles and even fast-moving intermediate range ballistic missiles. The S-400 has three components — the missile launchers themselves, a powerful radar and a command centre.
• The S-400 can engage almost every type of modern warplanes. Advanced jet fighters with stealth capabilities will also find it difficult to operate in a battlespace where the S-400 is deployed.
• The first S-400 systems became operational in 2007 and entered service with the First Air Defence Corps responsible for defending Moscow.

Deal for space cooperation signed between Russia and India

India and Russia, as part of the bilateral summit, have signed the deal for space cooperation between the two countries. According to latest reports, an Indian monitoring station will be built near the Russian city of Novosibirsk in Siberia.

Delays in buying S-400 may leave gaps in India’s defence

While the S-400 system has been tested and approved, delays in sealing the final cost negotiations can push back deliveries of the S-400, leaving gaps in defences, given the retiring MiG series of aircraft, ThePrint  reports. China is getting deliveries of its first S-400 firing units, and Russian forces have already deployed them in Syria.

Deal for five Russian S-400 Triumf missile shield systems has been signed by India

Sources have told ANI that official announcement will be made at 1.30 pm

Number of agreements on agenda

A number of agreements, including the crucial $5 billion S-400 air missile defence system deal, are expected to be signed later in the day. Putin had a one-on-one meeting with Narendra Modi after his arrival in New Delhi on Thursday evening. 

The Russian president, who leaves Friday evening, is accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Trade and Industry Minister Denis Manturov.

All eyes on S-400 defence deal

The S-400 system, which can be deployed within five minutes, integrates a multifunction radar, autonomous detection and targeting systems, anti-aircraft missile systems, launchers, and a command and control centre, and is capable of firing three types of missiles to create a layered defence. It is responsible for defending Moscow, and was deployed in Syria in 2015 to guard Russian and Syrian naval and air assets. Units have also been stationed in the Crimean peninsula.

India will be the third country in the world to get this system, China being the second.

Modi, Putin will hold press conference after closed-door meeting

Narendra Modi and Vladimir Putin meeting is underway. The two leaders will brief the press after their bilateral talks. The leaders are expected to cover a range of issues today, from reviewing security ties to economic cooperations.

What to expect of Modi-Putin summit today

Very few trusted aides of Narendra Modi and Vladimir Putin will be sitting on the crucial bilateral talks between the two leaders. Crucial trade and defence deals are on agenda. One of the key agreements that is likely to be inked between the two countries is a $5 billion S-400 air defence missile system, which will be crucial for India in the case of a two-front war. India is considering buying 5 units. The US is involved as the Russian manufacturers of the S-400 system, Almaz-Antey Air and Space Defence Corporation JSC, are on US’ CAATSA list, which means India’s deal with the country could invite sanctions.

‘Relationship which radiates warmth and affection’, tweets MEA

Describing it as a relationship which radiates “warmth and affection,” the ministry of external affairs tweeted photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Russian President Vladimir Putin outside the Hyderabad House in New Delhi. The two leaders have begun bilateral talks.

Negotiation over S-400 Triumf been on since 2015

Discussion regarding purchase of the S-400 Triumf a mobile, surface-to-air missile system has been going on since 2015. 

The fall of USSR witnessed the world becoming unipolar with the US as the sole master. That equation of power has undergone a change in recent years, with China emerging as the strong contender for the other pole. India and Russia have been the balancing force in this realignment of global powers.

With Narendra Modi and Vladimir Putin seem sharing a personal rapport, they are in a position to influence geo-strategic politics — with regard to sanctions on Iran, the Middle East equation, tariff manipulations, terrorism and several other issues.

Vladimir Putin and Narendra Modi have met 4 times since last year’s summit

The India visit of Vladimir Putin marks the fifth meeting with Narendra Modi since annual bilateral summit in June last year, when the prime minister travelled to Russia. This meeting was followed by meetings in Astana, Kazakhstan and Hamburg, Germany for G20 summit.

Narendra Modi travelled to Sochi in May this year for an informal summit with Vladimir Putin. The visit was undertaken to smoothen India-Russia relations further.

WATCH: Modi and Putin outside Hyderabad House in Delhi

Modi, Putin reach Hyderabad House

Narendra Modi and Vladimir Putin have reached Hyderabad House where the two leaders are expected to ink over 20 crucial documents, including the most-talked about S-400 defence system. 

‘Two units of S-400 will defend National Capital Region and another two cover the Mumbai Baroda Industrial corridor’

The S-400 Triumf system is already operational in Russia and under induction in China. India, if the deal comes through, will be the third country in the world to have the advanced air defence missile system. Speaking to Financial Express , Air Marshal (retd) Anil Chopra said, “Each unit will have up to 32 missiles on launchers at any time. It is expected that two units will defend the National Capital Region and another two cover the Mumbai Baroda Industrial corridor.”

Putin’s 1st day in India

Accompanied by high-level delegation from Russia, Vladimir Putin landed in New Delhi on Thursday and was received by MEA Sushma Swaraj. Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Trade and Industry Minister Denis Manturov, among others, accompanied the Russian president. Putin went straight to Modi’s official Lok Kalyan Marg residence where the two leaders had a one-on-one meeting. Later, Modi hosted a private dinner for the visiting dignitary. The spotlight will be on the $5 billion contract S-400 missile defence system deal as, if signed, it could violate US sanctions under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) instituted by the US Congress on arms purchases from Russia.  One of the outcomes of the summit we will be looking for is the joint counter-terrorism exercise, Indra-2018, set to be held from November 18 to 28.

Why is S-400 deal so crucial? A game-changer against Pakistan

If the critical S-400 deal with Russia comes through, India will spend a large chunk of its defence budget in acquiring the S-400 defence system. The Russian-built S-400 Triumf — NATO calls it SA-21 Growler — is the most dangerous operationally deployed modern long-range surface-to-air missile (MLR SAM) system in the world, considered to be much ahead of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence system (THAAD) developed by the United States. 

ThePrint reported that the S-400 had the potential of making the Pakistani Air Force retreat to Afghanistan. “The reason being that its reach of 400 km brings almost all airbases in Pakistan under target range. The system also cancels the slight advantage that Pakistan has with its fleet of early warning aircraft.”

Focus on S-400 deal

The focus during the visit will be on the S-400 Triumf air defence missile systems agreement with a top Kremlin aide saying on Tuesday that Putin will oversee the signing of the “$5 billion deal”.

“The key feature of this visit will be the signing of the agreement to deliver S-400 air defence systems,” Putin’s top foreign policy aide Yury Ushakov was quoted in media reports as saying in Moscow. “The value of the contract will be more than $5 billion,” he said.

Indra 2018, joint India-Russia counter-terrorism exercise, to be held in UP in November

One of the expected outcomes of the summit is the joint India-Russia counter-terrorism exercise, Indra-2018, set to be held between 18-28 November. The exercise is expected to take place at a training ground near the town of Babina in Uttar Pradesh, Russia has confirmed. 

“The final conference on preparations for the joint Russian-Indian exercise, Indra-2018, has taken place in India. The sides agreed that the exercise will be held at a training ground near the town of Babina in the state of Uttar Pradesh of the Republic of India, from November 18 to November 28, 2018,” the press service of Russia’s Eastern Military District said.

S-400 missile defence deal, if signed, could violate US sanctions under CAATSA

The spotlight will be on the S-400 missile defence system deal as, if signed, it could violate US sanctions under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) instituted by the US Congress on arms purchases from Russia.

The US has urged its allies to forgo transactions with Russia, warning that the S-400 missile defence system that India intends to buy would be a “focus area” for it to implement punitive sanctions against a nation undertaking “significant” business deals with the Russians. American lawmakers, however, have allowed the possibility of a presidential waiver.

Pacts to boost defence, space, trade, tourism cooperation

The agreements between Russia and India to be signed today are likely to boost cooperation in keys sectors such as defence, space, trade, energy and tourism, among others.

Russia-India to sign over 20 key pacts

Ahead of the visit, Putin’s aide Yuri Ushakov was quoted by media as saying that Russia and India are planning to sign more than 20 documents at the end of the Putin-Modi talks and that the Russian president will oversee the signing of the $5 billion deal.

The agreements to be signed are likely to boost cooperation in keys sectors such as defence, space, trade, energy and tourism, among others.

Putin accompanied by Russian PM and foreign minister 

The Russian president is accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Trade and Industry Minister Denis Manturov among others during his two-day visit.