Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomes Russian President Vladimir Putin prior to their meeting at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, India October 5, 2018. Yuri Kadobnov/Pool via REUTERS
After wide-ranging talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin, Indian and Russia on Friday signed the USD 5 billion S-400 air defence system deal in New Delhi, PTI reported. Modi and Putin also signed eight pacts, including on cooperation on India’s ambitious human space mission project Gaganyaan, at the 19th India-Russia annual bilateral summit. The signing of defence deal between the two countries comes amid the US warning.
Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in India on Thursday for the two-day annual India-Russia bilateral summit. He held official talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, after which the leaders delivered a joint statement. India and Russia signed eight pacts in areas ranging from defence, nuclear energy, space and economy.
The Russian head of the state, who was accompanied by a high-level delegation, was received by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in New Delhi yesterday. PM Modi had hosted a private dinner for the Russian president at his official residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg on Thursday night, and both leaders talked about a host of issues.
The Russian-built S-400 Triumf — identified by NATO as the SA-21 Growler — is the world’s most dangerous operationally deployed modern long-range surface-to-air missile system. (Wikipedia)
Before leaving India, President Putin also met President Ram Nath at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday.
Russian President Vladimir Putin leaves India after 2-day summit with PM Modi
Business leaders from the two countries interacted with PM Modi and Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of Indo-Russia business summit today.
Moments after India and Russia signed S-400 deal air defence system deal, the US embassy in India said that the US sanctions were aimed to punish Russia, not to damage military capabilities of 'our allies', reports PTI.
A delegation of talented children from Sirius Educational foundation Russia visited @AIMtoInnovate to develop joint projects that were showcased to the leaders of the two countries @KremlinRussia_E #DruzbaDosti
Speaking over Indo-Russia bilateral trade ties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that Russia can become our partner in the new and renewable energy sector. He said that the world has changed but the relationship between India and Russia has remained same and the trade between the two countries has risen to 20 per cent in 2017-18.
"We don't leave a chance to meet each other. The world is changing, but the friendship between India and Russia never changed," says PM Modi at India-Russia Business Summit. He said that over the previous years, India's ties with Russia are at a new high.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech at the business summit with Russian President Putin.
Eight pacts, including on cooperation on India's ambitious human space mission project Gaganyaan, were signed after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin Friday held the India-Russia annual summit in New Delhi, reports PTI. Official sources were quoted as saying by the news agency that the two countries also signed the USD 5 billion S-400 air defence system deal after talks between the two leaders in Hyderabad House.
Talks with President Putin have given new direction to the bilateral strategic partnership, Modi said in a press statement after the 19th India-Russia annual summit. Pacts were also inked in the fields of space, nuclear energy, railways and space. A crucial MoU was signed between Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and the Federal Space Agency of Russia ‘ROSCOSMOS' on joint activities in the field of human spaceflight programme Gaganyaan.
India and Russia are committed to cooperating in the fight against terrorism, Modi said. President Putin said the two countries have agreed to step up cooperation in combating the menace of terrorism and drug trafficking.
After wide-ranging talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin, India and Russia signed the USD 5 billion S-400 air defence system deal on Friday, PTI reported. The agreement was signed in the presence of both the leaders at the 19th India-Russia annual bilateral summit. The S-400 missile defence system deal could result in US sanctions under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) instituted by the US Congress on arms purchases from Russia. The US has urged its allies to forgo transactions with Russia, warning that the S-400 missile defence system that India wanted to buy would be a 'focus area' for it to implement punitive sanctions against a nation undertaking 'significant' business deals with the Russians. American lawmakers, however, have allowed the possibility of a presidential waiver.
Putin says: "We will strengthen cooperation in industry and investment, agriculture, medicine, pharmaceuticals etc. A Russian railways company will help India build modern railroads, Russia will assist India in exploring outerspace, etc. For decades, Russia and India has been cooperating in the area of defence. Russia and India concur at international platforms on key issues, including coordination at UN, BRICS, SCO and G20. We will combat terrorism threats, drug trafficking and transborder crime."
Russia pitches for Indian energy companies to invest in its country. Putin says he and Modi have discussed in detail Kudankulam nuclear power plant in Tamil Nadu--the fourth and fifth units of the plant are being constructed and the fourth and fifth will be constructed next. He adds that according to India's agreement with Russia, 12 units will be built in the next 20 years.
Mutual trade grew by 21% last year exceeding USD 9 billion, and this year it has been 20%, says Putin. 'If we proceed moving at this pace, we will reach our goal faster,' Putin says. He invites Modi to Russia as its main guest at the Vladivostok Forum in Sept 2019.
Putin says India is where Russia finds friendship, mutual respect and sympathi. The joint statement outlines plans and prospects for a long time, he adds. The documents signed today aims to develop ties between the countries.
We must continue cooperation in international organisations, PM Modi tells Russian President. He adds that there will be an increase it our ties after today's discussion, and help increase peace and stability in this world in these challenging times. "I can say with full confidence, that our friendship is unique," he says as he concludes speaking.
Your visit has helped our ties. Today, the decisions we have taken will give impetus to our relations. From trade, investment, technology and energy, to economic cooperation, our relations are now diversified, PM Modi said. 'We have taken ties beyond the conventional dimension. Russia has always stood by India,' he adds.
(ANI Photo)
India and Russia are signing pacts on defence, railways and energy. PM Modi says the meeting in Sochi made it possible for us to have detailed discussions today. India gives priority to ties with Russia. In this fast-changing world, our relations are more relevant, he adds.
MEA tweets on Modi, Putin meeting this morning. This is the 19th India-Russia Bilateral Summit
PM Modi, President Putin talks begin. They will brief the press after their bilateral talks. The leaders are expected to cover a range of issues today, from reviewing security ties to economic cooperations. (Express Photos/Anil Sharma)
One of the key agreements that is likely to be inked between the two countries is a $5 billion S-400 air defence missile system, which will be crucial for India in the case of a two-front war. India is considering buying 5 units. The US is involved as the Russian manufacturers of the S-400 system, Almaz-Antey Air and Space Defence Corporation JSC, are on US' CAATSA list, which means India's deal with the country could invite sanctions.
On a side note, a bulk of India’s military equipment is of Soviet/Russian origin — including the nuclear submarine INS Chakra, the supersonic Brahmos cruise missile, MiG and Sukhoi fighters, the Il transport aircraft, the T-72 and T-90 tanks, and the Vikramaditya aircraft carrier.
Read this Express explainer on what S-400 air defence system deal with Russia means to India.
PM Modi had met Putin in Sochi for their first informal summit after Putin's r-election in May. During the meeting, Modi had Putin had talked defence, and cooperation between the countries. They reiterated the significance of their military, security and nuclear energy ties. They had agreed to word together through multilateral organisations such as the United Nations, SCO, BRICS and G-20. In July, the two met on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg. They had held comprehensive discussions on bilateral issues of mutual interest, especially in trade, investment, energy, defence and tourism.
PM Narendra Modi and Russian premier Vladimir Putin will hold official talks today. Like last night, the talks are expected to be held in the company of only a few aids of the two leaders. They will discuss a range of issues, and sign over 20 pacts in areas of defence, economy, nuclear energy etc. One of the outcomes of the summit we will be looking for is the joint counter-terrorism exercise, Indra-2018, set to be held from November 18 to 28. Secondly, the $5 billion S-400 air defence systems deal. The two leaders will address a press conference after their talks.
Here's a wrap of Putin's first day in India Thursday: The Russian President arrived in the country and was received by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. He met PM Narendra Modi at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg, where the Prime Minister hosted an official dinner for him. During the one-on-one interaction, the two discussed a range of "strategic issues"..
(Photo via PTI)
Here's what Putin is doing in India today. He arrived in the country on Thursday, and will depart this evening. He is scheduled to hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at 11 am. PM Modi had hosted a dinner for the Russian President on Thursday night, where the two are said to have discussed 'strategic issues'. You can read more about the dinner here.
"Welcome to India, President Putin. Looking forward to our deliberations, which will further enhance India-Russia friendship," PM Modi tweeted.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets Russian President Vladimir Putin before their meeting in New Delhi, Thursday, Oct. 4, 2018. Putin arrived in India for a two-day visit. (PIB Photo via PTI)
PM Modi and Russian president Vladimir Putin on Thursday met each other and held a discussion on a host of issues, including bilateral cooperation and strategic issues. The prime minister has hosted a one-on-one dinner for Putin at his official residence in New Delhi, reports PTI. Earlier, Modi received Putin at his 7, Lok Kalyan Marg residence. Putin, who arrived in New Delhi Thursday evening on a two-day official visit was received by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.
The PM later hosted one-on-one dinner for Putin, official sources said. "Welcome to India, President Putin. Looking forward to our deliberations, which will further enhance India-Russia friendship," the PM tweeted in Russian and English. Putin, along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will hold the 19th India-Russia annual bilateral summit during which the two leaders are expected to review bilateral defence cooperation in the wake of the US sanctions against Russian defence majors.
The Russian government has confirmed that President Vladimir Putin will oversee the signing of the S-400 air defence system deal with India after his arrival Thursday. The over $5-billion deal, whose signing during the visit is “quite likely” according to India, was delayed after it qualified for sanctioning under a new US law targeting the regimes in Moscow, Tehran and Pyongyang. What is S-400, and why does India need it? How did the deal run afoul of Washington, and what has changed since to allow its signing? READ MORE
Russian President Vladimir Putin and PM Narendra Modi met each other in New Delhi on Thursday. The two leaders are likely to discuss bilaterla ties ahead of 19th India-Russia Annual Bilateral Summit on Friday.
The 19th India-Russia Annual Bilateral Summit will take place here on Friday during which Modi and Putin are expected to review bilateral defence cooperation in the wake of the US sanctions against Russian defence majors, reports PTI. The two leaders are also likely to deliberate on key regional and global issues, including US sanctions on import of Iranian crude oil. The focus during the visit will be on the S-400 Triumf air defence missile system agreement, with a top Kremlin aide saying Tuesday that Russian President Putin will oversee the signing of the USD 5 billion deal.
Putin, who was received by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, is accompanied by a high-level delegation.
Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives for his two-day visit to India. He was received by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in New Delhi on a two-day visit to India. He landed at Air Force Station Palam. The Russian premiere will hold bilateral summit with PM Narendra Modi on Friday.
According to a media report, India and Russia will sign a deal for the multi-billion-dollar S-400 surface-to-air missile system this week. Moscow has been negotiating to sell the S-400 long-range surface-to-air missiles to India for months, reports PTI. The signing of the deal for Moscow's most advanced air defence system will be overseen by Russian president Vladimir Putin, who is visiting New Delhi on October 4-5 for the annual India-Russia summit, the report said quoting a top Kremlin official said.
His Excellency Mr Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation, October 04 - 05, 2018.
Thursday, October 04, 2018
1840 hrs: Arrival in Delhi, Venue: New Dispersal Area, AFS Palam, Photo Op: AV Media
1930 hrs: Meeting with Prime Minister, Venue: 7, Lok Kalyan Marg
Friday, October 05, 2018
1100 hrs: Meeting with Prime Minister of India, Venue: Hyderabad House, Photo Op: AV Media
1130 hrs: Delegation Level Talks
1330 hrs: Exchange of Agreements and Press Statements, Venue: Hyderabad House, All Media
1430 hrs: Interaction with group of talented children, Venue: Central garden, ITC Maurya, Agencies Only
1530 hrs: Address India-Russia Business Summit, Venue: Kamal Mahal, ITC Maurya, Contact Organiser CII/DIPP
1630 hrs: Meeting with the President, Venue: Rashtrapati Bhawan, Photo Op: Agencies Only
1740 hrs: Emplane
The US has urged its allies to forgo transactions with Russia, warning that the S-400 missile defence system that India intends to buy would be a "focus area" for it to implement punitive sanctions against a nation undertaking "significant" business deals with the Russians. The US administration is required under a domestic law, Countering America's Adversaries through Sanctions Act or CAATSA to impose sanctions on any country that has “significant transactions” with Iran, North Korea or Russia. The Act primarily deals with sanctions on Russian interests such as its oil and gas industry, defence and security sector, and financial institutions, in the backdrop of its military intervention in Ukraine and its alleged meddling in the 2016 US Presidential elections.
In recent years, however, the relationship has appeared to cool off somewhat. Having once rested on multiple pillars from people-to-people to space, it is now one whose principal pillar is defence. Indio-Russian trade is at $10 bn, compared to Indo-US at $100 bn. Yet, India needs Russia for spare parts for its legacy defence equipment. Also, Moscow gives New Delhi technologies that the US doesn’t yet want to share, including nuclear-powered submarines. As India tries to balance its relations between an unpredictable US administration and an assertive China, it would like Russia on its side; Moscow as an ally in the UN Security Council is valuable. At the same time, Russia’s growing proximity with China, and its newfound relationship with Pakistan, makes Delhi uncomfortable.
Engagement through multilateral settings such as the SCO and the BRICS, and bilateral as well — Modi flew to Sochi for an informal summit with Putin in May this year — are signs of efforts at a robust relationship.
Stringent implementation of CAATSA would have impacted not just the S-400s, but also the procurement of Project 1135.6 frigates and Ka-226T helicopters, and joint ventures like Indo Russian Aviation Ltd, Multi-Role Transport Aircraft Ltd, and Brahmos Aerospace. It would have also affected purchase of spares, components, raw materials and other assistance. The bulk of India’s military equipment is of Soviet/Russian origin — including the nuclear submarine INS Chakra, the supersonic Brahmos cruise missile, MiG and Sukhoi fighters, the Il transport aircraft, the T-72 and T-90 tanks, and the Vikramaditya aircraft carrier.
The US will likely accept India’s request for Sea Guardian drones, and American manufacturers including Lockheed Martin and Boeing are contenders for mega arms deals with India. In July, the US communicated that it was ready to grant India (along with Indonesia and Vietnam) a waiver on the CAATSA sanctions. The waiver also conveyed the acceptance by the US that India could not be dictated on its strategic interests by a third country.
Concerns about Russia apart, CAATSA also impacts the United States’ ties with India, and dents its image when it is trying to project India as a key partner in its Indo-Pacific strategy. Secretary of Defence James Mattis had written to members of a Senate Committee, seeking “some relief from CAATSA” for countries like India. Admiral Harry Harris, Commander of the US Pacific Command, had cited the “strategic opportunity” that India presented, and the chance “to trade in arms with India”. Over the last decade, US defence deals with India have grown from near zero to worth $15 billion, including key Indian acquisitions such as C-17 Globemaster and C-130J transport aircraft, P-8(I) maritime reconnaissance aircraft, M777 lightweight howitzers, Harpoon missiles, and Apache and Chinook helicopters.
Concerns about Russia apart, CAATSA also impacts the United States’ ties with India, and dents its image when it is trying to project India as a key partner in its Indo-Pacific strategy. Secretary of Defence James Mattis had written to members of a Senate Committee, seeking “some relief from CAATSA” for countries like India. Admiral Harry Harris, Commander of the US Pacific Command, had cited the “strategic opportunity” that India presented, and the chance “to trade in arms with India”. Over the last decade, US defence deals with India have grown from near zero to worth $15 billion, including key Indian acquisitions such as C-17 Globemaster and C-130J transport aircraft, P-8(I) maritime reconnaissance aircraft, M777 lightweight howitzers, Harpoon missiles, and Apache and Chinook helicopters.
In August 2017, President Donald Trump signed into law the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), which specifically targets Russia, Iran, and North Korea. Title II of the Act seeks to punish Russia for its military intervention in Ukraine and its alleged meddling in the 2016 US Presidential elections, by taking aim at its oil and gas industry, defence and security sector, and financial institutions. Section 231 empowers the US President to impose at least five of 12 listed sanctions — enumerated in Section 235 — on persons engaged in a “significant transaction” with the Russian defence and intelligence sectors. The US State Department has notified 39 Russian entities, “significant transactions” with which could make third parties liable to sanctions. Almost all major Russian defence manufacturing and export companies/entities including Almaz-Antey Air and Space Defence Corporation JSC, the manufacturers of the S-400 system, are on the list.
It is important for India to have the capability to thwart missile attacks from the two likeliest quarters, Pakistan and China. Beijing signed a deal with Moscow in 2015 to buy six battalions of the S-400 system, and deliveries began in January 2018. While the Chinese acquisition has been seen as a “gamechanger” in the region, the concern for India is limited because of the system’s range. However, the S-400 can play a crucial role in case of a two-front war. In October 2015, the Defence Acquisition Council considered buying 12 units, but it was subsequently determined that five would be adequate for India’s needs. The Indian Express had reported earlier that negotiations were at an “advanced stage”, and the deal was expected to be signed before the Summit meeting between President Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi (October 5). Turkey and Saudi Arabia are among others negotiating for the S-400; Iraq and Qatar, too, have shown interest.
Ushakov told reporters in Moscow that Russia and India plan to sign more than 20 documents at the end of the talks. Sources in New Delhi told The Indian Express these will cover areas such as nuclear, space, economic issues, among others. “Apart from a conversation tete-a-tete, the sides will have talks with restricted attendance, then talks in an extended format, and then a working breakfast as a continuation of the latter talks where ministers and leading businessmen will be present,” Ushakov said, according to Russian news agency TASS.
An experienced diplomat, Yury Ushakov, 71, was appointed Putin’s aide in 2012 and was Russia’s ambassador to the US for 10 years from 1998. The S-400 deal has been caught in a diplomatic crossfire between the United States and Russia, with Washington threatening New Delhi and other partners with sanctions if their defence deals with Russia go through.
The last annual summit was held on June 1, 2017, during the visit of the prime minister to Russia. In May, Modi had travelled to Russian coastal city of Sochi for an informal summit with Putin during which they discussed a range of crucial issues. Modi and Putin are also expected to explore ways to further deepen cooperation between the two countries in a number of sectors including trade, investment, connectivity, energy, space and tourism.
Vladimir Putin will meet Prime Minister Modi in the evening. Modi and Putin will hold the India-Russia summit on Friday after which agreements will be exchanged and the two leaders will make press statements, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Besides holding talks with Modi, the Russian leader will also have a meeting with President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday, according to MEA. He will also have an interaction with a group of talented children and address an India-Russia business meet.
The focus during the visit will be on the S-400 Triumf air defence missile systems agreement with a top Kremlin aide saying Tuesday that Russian President Putin will oversee the signing of the "USD 5 billion deal". "The key feature of this visit will be the signing of the agreement to deliver S-400 air defence systems," Putin's top foreign policy aide Yury Ushakov was quoted in media reports as saying in Moscow. "The value of the contract will be more than USD 5 billion," he said.
Putin, along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will hold the 19th India-Russia annual bilateral summit during which the two leaders are expected to review bilateral defence cooperation in the wake of the US sanctions against Russian defence majors.
Welcome to our LIVE blog. Russian President Vladimir Putin is coming to India for the 19th India-Russia annual bilateral summit. He will meet PM Modi, president Kovind among others and is likely to sign 20 agreements. Follow to get the latest updates.