Underlining that Russia still remains the biggest strategic partner and “time-tested friend,” India on Saturday signed 16 agreements to ramp up its Defence, security and energy needs, even as Russian President Vladimir Putin pledged support to India’s fight against terrorism.
An air of bonhomie and brisk business marked the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Putin, during the 17th bilateral summit between India and Russia in Goa, with both countries upping the ante against terrorism in all forms.
Modi appreciated Russia’s understanding and support of India’s actions to fight cross-border terrorism, an oblique reference to India’s surgical strikes across the line of Control (loC) last month targeting terror launch pads in PoK.
India, on Saturday strongly conveyed its concerns over the participation of the Russian armed forces in joint military exercises with Pakistan as it discussed the need for surgical strikes on terror groups along the loC.
“We trust Russia fully. When we speak of friendship, the assumption is that Russia will never do anything which is not in our interests. After our discussions, we are satisfied that Russia understands
India’s interest, will never do anything which is contrary to India’s interests,” Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar said following the India-Russia Annual Summit talks.
Among the top agreements signed in the presence of Putin and Modi after the Annual Summit are pacts for joint production of 200 Kamov (KA 226T) helicopters, procurement of S-400 Triumf air defence system, and four Naval frigates to boost India’s security against potential threats. The purchases, totaling roughly $10 billion, make Russia India’s biggest Defence partner in the world.
While on one hand, Putin agreed to provide cutting edge Defence technology to India, he also pledged support to India’s fight against terrorism and backed New Delhi’s
efforts for a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT).
In a strongly worded joint statement, Putin and Modi called for stopping all direct and indirect support to terror groups, and strengthening border management to prevent infiltration. Putin noted the commonality of positions of both the countries on such issues as war on terrorism. India expressed appreciation for Russia’s unequivocal condemnation of the terrorist attack on the Army camp in Uri.
Without naming Pakistan, Jaishankar said while the epicentre of terrorism was in close proximity to India, its footprint was across the world. “Terrorism is not just an issue for India. The epicentre may be close to India, but the activities of the epicentre extend throughout the world. I do not think there is any country in the world that is agnostic to terrorism,” Jaishankar said.
“It goes without saying that we continue our substantive dialogue on the entire international agenda, where India’s and Russia’s stances are very close or matching. One of our priority issues is combating terrorism together,” Putin said.
Terming India-Russia relationship as a highly stable and smooth, Modi quoted the Russian proverb, “An Old friend is better than two new friends,” to describe the strength of the relationship. Acknowledging Russia’s crucial contributions to India’s industrial development and technological advancement and Defence needs, Modi reiterated that Russia will remain India’s major Defence and strategic partner.
“The agreements on manufacturing of Kamov 226T helicopters; constructions of frigates; and acquisition and building of other Defence platforms are in synergy with India’s technology and security priorities. They also help us achieve the objectives of ‘Make in India’. We have also agreed to work on an annual military industrial conference that will allow stakeholders on both sides to institute and push collaboration,” Modi said.
Putin said that Russian companies have great interest in India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative and negotiations are in progress regarding licensed production of the Sukhoi Superjet 100, T-90 tanks, BrahMos cruise missiles and a joint development of a regional passenger aircraft.
“We are successfully developing Defence and military production cooperation. Russia not only provides arms and military equipment to India but is also launching joint production of its latest developments in India. Our plans include assembly facilities for multi-purpose helicopters and military frigates,” the Russian President said.
Agreements on cooperation in trade and investment, energy, power, shipbuilding, space, smart cities and cyber security were also sealed and the two leaders jointly laid the foundation of Unit 3 and 4 of Kudankulam nuclear plant. In the economic sector, a bilateral investment fund of $1 billion has been created between National Infrastructure Investment Fund (NIIF) of India with Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) to facilitate high-technology investments in Russia and India where both sides will put a $500 million each. Russia will help India with high speed trains between Nagpur and Hyderabad.
“In the last four months alone…Indian companies have invested close to $5.5 billion in Russia’s oil and gas sector. And, with President Putin’s support, we are ready and willing to expand the scope of our engagement further. We are also undertaking a joint study of a gas pipeline route between our two countries. A combination of robust civil nuclear cooperation, lNG sourcing, partnership in the oil and gas sector, and engagement in renewables can construct a promising energy bridge between our two countries,” Modi said.