China’s 2022 defence budget is over thrice the size of India’s spending. In 2021, China’s defence spending crossed $200 bn for the first time. This year, it’s up to $229.7 bn.
Russia and the US have been prominent players at previous defence exhibitions held in India. During the Aero India show last year, the biggest exhibitor was Ukraine.
The defence ministry move comes amid Army considering Russian offer of Sprut light tanks and private firm Larsen & Toubro working with DRDO to convert howitzer Vajra into a light tank.
Many countries have announced defence budget hikes, with Germany ending decades-old freeze. But ambitions will have to be balanced with legacy of underspending, capacity issues.
Dos & don’ts list is the first of its kind in a decade, advises to 'walk close to buildings, keep white flag ready, conserve phone battery, be ready for long trek’.
In October 2018, India had signed a $5 billion deal with Russia to buy five units of the S-400 air defence missile systems. The supply of the systems has already begun.
India's bilateral trade with Russia during 2020-21 amounted to $8.1 billion. Indian exports totalled $2.6 billion, while imports from Russia came to $5.5 billion
In 2021, the government allowed telcos to convert interest on deferred spectrum payments and AGR dues into equity. This made it the single largest stakeholder in Vodafone Idea.
New Delhi has, in past, too, objected to Chinese construction activities in Shaksgam Valley. Work in this strategic region gathered pace after the 2017 Doklam stand-off.
A theme has not yet emerged for BJP & people see lack of a contest, which makes it unexciting. For all these reasons, 2024 is turning out to be an unexpectedly theme-less election.
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