‘Russia Part of India’s Growth Story’: Modi, Putin Sign 8 Deals

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, 5 October held the India-Russia annual summit after which eight pacts, including on cooperation on India's ambitious human space mission project Gaganyaan, were signed.

The two countries also signed the $5 billion S-400 air defence system deal after talks between the two leaders in Hyderabad House. Pacts were also inked in the fields of space, nuclear energy, railways and space.

A crucial MoU was signed between Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and the Federal Space Agency of Russia ‘ROSCOSMOS' on joint activities in the field of human spaceflight programme Gaganyaan.

Putin, along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will hold the 19th India-Russia annual bilateral summit during which the two leaders are expected to review bilateral defence cooperation in the wake of the US sanctions against Russian defence majors.

The focus during the visit will be on the S-400 Triumf air defence missile systems agreement with a top Kremlin aide saying Tuesday that Russian President Putin will oversee the signing of the "USD 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 USD 5 billion," he said.

The purchase will violate sanctions under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) instituted by the US Congress on arms purchases from Russia, but American lawmakers have allowed the possibility of a presidential waiver.

There have been indications by New Delhi that it will go ahead with the S-400 Missile deal notwithstanding the US sanctions.

"India has maintained its sovereignty as regards to its relationship with countries. We shall maintain it in all earnestness," Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman told PTI recently when asked whether the US sanctions will hit India's defence ties with Russia.

India wants to procure the long-range missile systems to tighten its air defence mechanism, particularly along the nearly 4,000-km-long Sino-India border.

S-400 is known as Russia's most advanced long-range surface-to-air missile defence system. China was the first foreign buyer to seal a government-to-government deal with Russia in 2014 to procure the lethal missile system and Moscow has already started delivery of an undisclosed number of the S-400 missile systems to Beijing.

Russia has been one of India's key suppliers of arms and ammunition.

Sources had earlier said Modi and Putin would also deliberate on impact of US sanctions on import of crude oil from Iran.

Besides holding talks with Modi, the Russian leader will also have a meeting with President Ram Nath Kovind as well as other official engagements, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.

The last annual summit was held on 1 June, 2017, during the visit of the prime minister to Russia.

In May, Modi had travelled to Russian coastal city of Sochi for an informal summit with Putin during which they discussed a range of crucial issues.

Modi and Putin are also expected to explore ways to further deepen cooperation between the two countries in a number of sectors including trade, investment, connectivity, energy, space and tourism.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin today in Delhi. Putin is on a two-day visit to India to hold the annual bilateral summit.

Putin, who is accompanied by a high-level delegation, was received by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.

The 19th India-Russia Annual Bilateral Summit will take place in Delhi on Friday during which Modi and Putin are expected to review bilateral defence cooperation in the wake of the US sanctions against Russian defence majors.

The two leaders are also likely to deliberate on key regional and global issues, including US sanctions on import of Iranian crude oil.

The focus during the visit will be on the S-400 Triumf air defence missile system agreement, with a top Kremlin aide saying on Tuesday, 2 October, that Russian President Putin will oversee the signing of the USD 5 billion deal.

Welcoming Russian President Vladmir Putin on Thursday evening, Prime Minsiter Narendra Modi tweeted, “Welcome to India, President Putin. Looking forward to our deliberations, which will further enhance India-Russia friendship.”

Here is the schedule for the engagements between the Indian and Russian delegations, to be held on Friday, 5 October:

• 11 am: Vladimir Putin's Meeting with PM Modi
• 11:30 am: Delegation-level talks
• 1:30 pm: Exchange of agreements and press statements
• 3:30 pm: Putin addresses India-Russia business summit
• 4:30 pm: Putin meets with President Kovind

Kickstarting his itinerary for the day, Russian President Vladimir Putin met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, on Friday, 5 October, morning.

The deal for five Russian S-400 Triumf missile systems has been signed between India and Russia, reported ANI, citing sources. The official announcement in this regard is expected to be made at 1:30 pm.

In addition, a deal for space cooperation was also reportedly signed between Russia and India, with an Indian monitoring station to be built near the Russian city of Novosibirsk in Siberia.

India and Russia signed a deal for space cooperation under which an Indian monitoring station will be built near the Russian city of Novosibirsk in Siberia, sources told ANI

In a joint statement issued with Russian President Vladimir Putin, PM Modi said that India gives priority to its relations with Russia.

“India gives priority to its relations with Russia. Russia has always been a part of India's growth story,” he said.

“Our countries have mutual benefits in supporting struggle against terrorism, Afghanistan and Indo-Pacific events, climate change; organisations like SCO, BRICS, G20 and ASEAN. We have agreed to continue cooperation to these international organisations,” he added.

Both sides expressed satisfaction at significant progress made on the ongoing projects of military-technical cooperation and recognized the positive shift towards joint research and joint production of military-technical equipment between the two countries, ANI reported quoting the joint statement.

While delivering a joint statement, Russian President Vladimir Putin invited PM Modi to Russia.

“It is my great pleasure to once again invite Prime Minister to participate in the next Vladivostok Forum as the main guest,” said Putin.

“I have informed the PM about the situation in Syria. We have also discussed the situation that came as a result of action of US to withdraw from Iran deal,” he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russia President Vladimir Putin interacted with a group of children.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russia President Vladimir Putin address India-Russia Business Summit.

Russian President Vladimir Putin met President Ram Nath Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

President Vladimir Putin emplanes for Russia after concluding his two-day visit to India.President Vladimir Putin emplanes for Russia after concluding his two-day visit to India.