Putin signals stronger India-Russia ties ahead of visit, pushes for more Indian exports

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that he looks forward to “elevating cooperation” with New Delhi to a “qualitatively new level” ahead of his visit to India from December 4 for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit.

He also spoke of strengthening Russia’s ties with China. Speaking at an investment forum in Moscow on Tuesday, Putin said that 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 said.

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“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 added.

‘Will discuss trade’

The Russian president said that he will discuss expanding Indian imports as Moscow seeks greater economic engagement with its key partners.

India and Russia are “working together” to boost New Delhi’s exports, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday, noting that Moscow remains a key energy supplier for India even though oil volumes may see a temporary dip.

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Speaking at an online media briefing, Peskov stressed the need for trade mechanisms that are insulated from third-country influence.

“Tariff between India and then the United States is rather a question of bilateral relations between India and the US, what concerns us is the way we’re going to continue and enlarge the volume of our bilateral business with India, not letting anyone interfere,” he said.

Peskov added that settling a large share of bilateral trade in national currencies plays an important role in safeguarding economic ties. Russia has also thanked India for what it described as a “very friendly stand” towards Moscow and praised New Delhi’s position on the Ukraine conflict.

Sale of S-400 high on agenda

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 per cent in Indian armed forces and hopefully will continue,” Peskov 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. SU-57 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, but 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, 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.