New Delhi: Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India is likely to be on 5 and 6 December, and the primary focus of talks with Prime Minister Modi will be trade, investment, economy and defence.
One of the key developments expected on the trade front is the start of formal talks on a Free Trade Agreement on goods between India and the Eurasian Economic Union. Sources said that it was only recently that both sides had finalised the terms and reference for talks on the agreement.
Ahead of Putin’s visit, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov is expected to arrive in India in November.
Government sources told ThePrint that during the annual summit, Modi and Putin will review the entire gamut of bilateral ties, global and regional issues.
The two sides are also exploring the possibility of commencing negotiations for signing a bilateral free-trade agreement in services and investments.
Sources said that on the defence front, the two sides will review the pending deliveries of equipment that have been ordered by India and the progress so far.
Another key topic will be the upgrade programme of the Su 30 MKI.
As reported by ThePrint earlier, India is also looking at the possibility of acquiring more S-400/S-500 air defence systems and is also studying a Russian proposal on the Su-57 fighter programme.
Sources also said that India is keen for Russian defence companies to do Transfer-of-Technology and set up businesses here for the supply of spare parts for Russian equipment in service with the military here.
The issue of energy supply will also come up for discussion between the two sides. US President Donald Trump has slapped an additional 25 percent tariff on India for the crude that New Delhi buys from Moscow.
India has argued it imported oil “from Russia because traditional supplies were diverted to Europe after the outbreak of the conflict”.
Another area of focus will be the remaining nuclear power plant units at Kudankulam and the second site in India for a nuclear power plant in accordance with earlier signed agreements.
Delegations from both sides will also review the technical discussions on Russian design, localisation of equipment and joint manufacturing of NPP components as well as the cooperation in third countries, sources said.
Another big focus area will be trade connectivity: The Chennai-Vladivostok (Eastern Maritime) Corridor and the International North-South Transport Corridor.
Putin has significantly curtailed his foreign travel because an International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued an arrest warrant against him over the war with Ukraine. However, India is not obligated to follow the order because it is not a party to the ICC.
This is an updated version of the report.
(Edited by Viny Mishra)
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