Benaulim, Goa: India and Russia Saturday signed several major agreements, including two key defence deals following a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the 8th BRICS summit in Goa.
After their nearly two-hour long talks, the two leaders witnessed the signing of a Rs. 39,000 crore defence deal to procure Moscow’s most advanced anti-aircraft defence system – S 400 Triumph, which will provide India a ballistic missile shield.
Another key deal signed is being seen as a huge boost for the Modi government’s Make in India initiative, whereby India will initially import and then manufacture Russian Kamov Ka-226 T light utility helicopters.
India is the world’s top defence importer and is undergoing a $100-billion upgrade of its mostly Soviet-era military equipment. India was the erstwhile Soviet Union’s closest military ally during the Cold War and a major importer of its military hardware. But in recent years Delhi has turned to the United States for supplies, as the two nations forge stronger ties.
Analysts suggest that India’s big Russian push once again should also be seen in the context of the recent joint military exercises that Russia had with the Pakistani forces.
The two leaders also laid the foundation of Unit 3 and 4 of the Kudankulam nuclear plant.
After signing 16 agreements with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Narendra Modi said, “An old friend is better than two new friends.”
