No US lecture needed for India-Russia ties: Envoy : The Tribune India

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No US lecture needed for India-Russia ties: Envoy

NEW DELHI: The first delivery of the S400 air defence systems are expected by 2020. And regardless of US sanctions heat, India and Russia will announce new sizeable defence deals by start of next year, says envoy Nikolay Kudashev.

No US lecture needed for India-Russia ties: Envoy

Nikolay Kudashev.



New Delhi, October 10

The first delivery of the S400 air defence systems are expected by 2020. And regardless of US sanctions heat, India and Russia will announce new sizeable defence deals by start of next year, says envoy Nikolay Kudashev. 

In an exclusive interaction with The Tribune, the Russian Ambassador underlined that his country's ties with India do not need American lecture and neither is US the veto-wielder in Afghanistan.

Kudashev also suggested that it would be logical for Russia-India to discuss some logistics agreement similar to LEMOA. Smita Sharma spoke to Kudashev.

What are the key takeaways from Putin-Modi summit talks? 

This was a very important and successful visit. It gave the two sides an opportunity to reaffirm the special, privileged, strategic ties and to explore new opportunities for cooperation in international arena as well as bilaterally. Some nine agreements and MoUs were done involving strategic areas of cooperation like space, nuclear energy, transportation. Two sides managed to develop positions on bilateral areas and explore new vistas. 

Why was S400 not announced by the leaders or mentioned in MoUs list?

It was up to leaders. Personally I think while S400 deal is very important one, largely speaking this visit was not about S400 only but about enhanced connectivity be it politically, economically , transportation or humanitarian.

Is there any clarity on timeline of transfer of payments or delivery related to S400 deal subject to which CAATSA sanctions could kick in if there is no waiver for India ? 

I am not familiar with details of the contract. The first delivery is expected by 2020. Naturally each contract would envisage some advance payment to start implementation. I could guess that this contract could take some 4-5 years at least. 

What happens if India does not get CAATSA waiver? How will US sanctions impact other India-Russia military deals in pipeline?

I think a practical solution is available .CAATSA is American law. It has nothing to do with us or with India. As I understand India would recognise only sanctions adopted by UNSC (United Nations Security Council) not otherwise. India is independent, powerful, clever and far-sighted enough to undertake decisions favourable to its national interest. India's security concerns and bilateral partnership with Russia mean more than CAATSA. Russia and India are old friends and our relationship could stay without American lecture. 

Is a LEMOA kind of logistics agreement that India has signed with US being discussed with Russia? 

I am not in the know of such talks but I think it could be logical because there are multiple military exchanges  between Russia and India including tri services drill. There is a new dimension emerging with India's participation in SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation) anti-terrorism drills. Emergence of some agreement or memoranda to look after these exchanges and to secure advanced bases further could be logical. 

The joint statement has paragraph on terrorism but no terror groups or entities including on Pakistani soil are named. Is there a divergence of views with Russia on Pak? 

Our cooperation is extensive. The paragraph on terror says both sides condemned support to all kinds of state support to terror and providing safe havens .The para is universal and includes all regions where terrorism is present, Pakistan included. Terrorism is a larger phenomenon. I understand India's concerns with regards to cross border terror and joint statement testifies to it. 

There was a sense that during FATF (Financial Action Task Force) meetings that Russia was not in support of grey listing Pakistan and you have a military pact too. Should this worry India? 

This is not a military pact or alliance, this is rather a working agreement. I am 100 per cent sure that we have been together with the international community including India on issues of FATF monitoring so each and every state have a chance to become better. Pakistan also has a chance to follow recommendations of FATF.

Does Russia feel that India-China should talk about BRI (Belt and Roads Initiative)? 

This is a Chinese project. Russia is not a party to BRI. Number of countries willing to be part of BRI is growing says something about the initiative. It is up to India to make it's own decisions. But issues of connectivity deserve a second look. Issues of sovereignty involved are very critical for India and we understand. Maybe the two sides could look at some creative solution without any detriment to India's sovereignty.

Will there be a Joint Venture between Kamov and HAL? When will Make in India between India and Russia take off? 

Make In India is happening like Sukhoi, T-90 tanks are being assembled in India. MiG 29 aircraft are being modernised in India. As far as Kamovs, Frigates and other deals are concerned, talks are on. If S400 deal was done during visit, it does not mean a full stop. Talks continue and our expectation is that before the end of the year or at the very beginning of next year you could expect more new sizeable deals involving Make In India programs. President Putin specifically mentioned Make in India in his address to the business forum as well as in his press statements after talks. You will have the deals. We are ready to share technologies.

Your views on Talks with Taliban? 

We believe that Taliban should be a factor in the national reconciliation process but it would depend on position of central government of Afghanistan when it feels it is ready to talk. 

There are allegations of Russia supplying arms to Taliban? 

These are false allegations. Give us any kind of evidence. It is the same as Skripal. Whoever violated international law, give us evidence . These are just empty talks. 

Afghan pulled out of the Moscow format proposed by Russia. Is there a fresh proposal for the talks? 

It was postponed upon request of Afghan government. They said let us look for another opportune time. It was not called off. It was just rescheduled for a time opportune to federal government in Kabul. The Moscow format is very much on and India has not said no to it.

US says Russians are undermining their efforts towards stabilising Afghan. 

US does not have a veto on Afghan settlement. They are not a regional but an extra regional power there. We both have our positions. Their practical policy does not seem effective to us. The security situation is dangerous, not stable after 10 or more years of American presence. The strategy has no consistency. I would rather listen to countries in region like India, China , Central Asia and Kabul itself. 

What kind of joint programme will India and Russia undertake in Afghanistan? 

There is no clarity yet. They could be in construction, capacity building, education areas. But no specifics yet.

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