New Delhi: India and Russia are set to review the entire gamut of their bilateral relations during President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India that will see the signing of several significant agreements but not-much-talked about big ticket items, ThePrint has learnt.
Government sources explained that the visit cannot be measured in terms of big ticket deals being signed contrary to what has been reported so far by others. One of the significant agreements that will take place is on mobility, allowing easier recruitment of Indian workers by Russia.
They said for India, the visit is an opportunity to review the bilateral ties with an old-time friend and see what more could be done and how some irritants can be taken care of.
As for Putin, it is an opportunity to show the world that Russia has a partner of global significance.
It is understood that India will be playing a fine balancing act between its friendship with Russia and with Western powers.
The sources said no alarming development is expected during Putin’s two-day visit starting Thursday even as both sides undertake a number of steps to boost their relations.
Defence, energy, trade and nuclear cooperation remain the top priority sectors for the two countries, they added.
The aim is to widen the trade basket between the two sides. Bilateral trade stood at $68.72 billion for the last fiscal and the aim is to increase it to $100 billion by 2030. However, the problem is that the trade is heavily skewed in Russia’s favour.
Indian exports to Russia were just $4.88 billion while imports stood at $63.84 billion.
The focus area for India exports remain chemicals, food, pharmaceuticals and machinery, while Russia is looking at increasing cooperation in space and civil nuclear space.
Russia has offered partnership in building small modular nuclear reactors in India. Though no firm contract is expected to be signed, an announcement on this front is expected, the sources said.
One of the main contracts that is set to be inked is 100 percent transfer of technology (ToT) to India for the advanced RD‑191M semi‑cryogenic rocket engine.
The engine is expected to power future variants of the GSLV Mk3/LVM3 rockets of India. These engines will increase the payload capacity of India when it comes to geostationary transfer orbit (GTO).
Developed by NPO Energomash, the ‘RD-191’ is a workhorse engine used in Russia’s Angara series of rockets and more powerful than ISRO’s workhorse Indo-French Vikas engine.
No major deal is expected to be signed and announced when it comes to critical sectors like defence and security.
On the defence front, the sources said that India will be buying additional long range missiles for the S-400 Triumf air defence systems, which was already cleared by the Ministry of Defence in October.
This is separate from the additional five regiments of the S-400 that India is interested in. As reported by ThePrint, no contract for additional systems is to be signed. India will go in for additional S-400 regiments only after the delivery of the last two remaining systems.
Another key aspect on the defence front would be discussions on the much delayed delivery of one leased Akula class nuclear submarine, which was originally meant to be delivered in 2025 but is now delayed till 2028.
The sources ruled out any plans to procure any kind of nuclear or conventional submarines from Russia given India’s own projects of the same.
Discussions are expected to take place on the Russia offer of the Su-57, a programme that the Indian Air Force (IAF) had walked out of in 2018.
As reported by ThePrint first, while India is looking at the Russian offer, no decision has been taken and its procurement is not on plans.
The other offer from Russia is for the S-500 air defence system, which India is looking at and is keen for. However, India will wait for the systems to be first fully integrated into the Russian military.
India, the sources said, is interested in firming up bilateral agreements for the upgrade of the Su-30 MKI fighters and that of the increased range of the BrahMos supersonic missiles.
Discussion will also be taking place on the Russian offer of the Sprut light tanks and the Pantsir air defence system but no deals will be signed, they added.
(Edited by Tony Rai)
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