Putin to visit India on Dec 4-5; trade and defence ties on table

Russian President Vladimir Putin will be in India on December 4 and 5 for an annual summit. He will hold wide-ranging talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi covering various sectors such as defence, aviation, politics, trade, economy and science and technology.

Both sides will look to expand ties. New Delhi is seeking faster delivery of critical military equipment, including two pending S-400 air defence missile systems. The system had played a crucial role during Operation Sindoor. An upgrade for the fleet of 270-odd Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jets is also a priority for India.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Friday: “Putin will pay a state visit to India on December 4 and 5 for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit.” President Droupadi Murmu will host a banquet in Putin’s honour.

Jet upgrade among New Delhi’s priorities

New Delhi is seeking faster delivery of critical military equipment, including two pending S-400 air defence missile systems

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The system had played a crucial role during Operation Sindoor. An upgrade for the fleet of 270-odd Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jets is also a priority for India

On Putin’s visit, the Kremlin said: “A joint statement is expected to be adopted and a wide range of bilateral inter-departmental and business agreements are to be signed.” The visit was of great importance, said the Kremlin. Hinting at US pressure on India, the Kremlin said the extensive scope of the Russia-India special and privileged strategic partnership would be the focus of the upcoming talks.

The MEA said the visit would provide an opportunity for the leadership of India and Russia to review the progress in the bilateral relations. Meanwhile, India and Russia are at the cusp of deciding multiple military equipment deals. New Delhi and Moscow are looking at expanding the range of the BrahMos missiles and the upgrade of the Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jet.

Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh said on Friday the procurement of additional S-400 air defence systems could not be ruled out, but no announcement would be made during Putin’s visit.

He said the primary focus would be on ensuring that some of the delayed contracted projects were speeded up. “We have a large defence programme with them, including existing contracts, which have been delayed,” he said while speaking at a defence conclave organised by a news agency.

On the pending supplies of the remaining two of the five S-400 systems ordered in 2018, he said, “There are a bunch of programmes where there are delivery delays; we will take these up with them and try to expedite these.” Moscow has promised the delivery next year.

Delegation-level talks between India and Russia would focus on broader elements of institutional cooperation on defence between the two sides, he said.