In August, Kremlin said Modi was willing to attend October BRICS leaders’ summit in Kazan. If bilateral meet between Modi and Putin takes place, it would be their second one this year.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Russian Deputy PM Denis Manturov and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during his two-day visit to Moscow – first since the war began.
At 2+2 talks, defence minister Rajnath Singh discusses ‘expansion of armament’ in India’s neighbourhood, while foreign minister S. Jaishankar talks about Afghanistan situation.
India & Russia are looking at signing a defence logistics exchange pact when President Putin comes calling, with a ceremonial handing over of S-400 Triumf air defence systems likely too.
Mini deal will likely see no cut in 10% baseline tariff on Indian exports announced by Trump on 2 April, it is learnt, but additional 26% tariffs are set to be reduced.
India-Russia JV is also racing to deliver 7,000 more AK-203 assault rifles by 15 Aug. These are currently being made with 50% indigenisation and this will surge to 100% by 31 December.
Public, loud, upfront, filled with impropriety and high praise sometimes laced with insults. This is what we call Trumplomacy. But the larger objective is the same: American supremacy.
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