Russian President Vladimir Putin has left for Russia after wrapping up a two-day visit to India. India and Russia reportedly inked a $5 billion deal to procure Moscow's most advanced air defence system, the S-400 Triumf, risking US sanctions. Mr Putin arrived Thursday and was greeted by Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj at the airport and welcomed by PM Modi at his residence.
India wants S-400 missile systems from Russia to change the strategic balance in the subcontinent. The long-range missile systems will tighten India's air-defence capabilities along the 4,000-km-long India-China border. The US could impose sanctions using the Countering America's Adversaries through Sanctions Act or CAATSA legislation, which deals primarily with countries having "significant transactions" with Russia, North Korea or Iran.
India is also planning on acquiring 4 Krivak-class frigates from Russia, two of which will be built in India, which will be a $2.5 billion deal.
Mr Putin and PM Modi are also set to discuss key regional and global issues, including US sanctions on import of Iranian crude oil. Along with the S-400 Triumf and Krivak deals, the bilateral summit will have the world leaders sign around 20 agreements.
Here are the highlights of Vladimir Putin, PM Narendra Modi's bilateral summit today:
Spectrum of cooperation just got wider!
- Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) October 5, 2018
8 documents exchanged in the presence of PM @narendramodi and @KremlinRussia_E President Putin. Full list of documents at https://t.co/xNLF23upDf#DruzbaDosti pic.twitter.com/eFDQ3qnkie
Defence ties between the two countries have grown, but so has business. Indian firms, especially in the oil and gas sector are welcome in Russia. India has massive energy demands and Russia is resource-rich. We invite oil companies to come and set up operations in Russia.
Our trade ties have grown 20 per cent year on year.
We also believe in the peaceful use of nuclear energy. Apart from Kudankulam, Russia will build over 12 reactors in India over the next 20 years.
India is also a big favourite among Russian tourists. People-to-people ties have also grown rapidly, as have ties in the education and research field.
Russia values its ties with India, and places the India relationship as a top priority.
Addressing a joint press meet with President Putin. Watch. @KremlinRussia_E https://t.co/Ybc7EU67AF
- Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 5, 2018
India will finally acquire the S-400 Triumf, the world's most lethal surface-to-air missile, from Russia amid a threat of tough sanctions from the US. The deal was signed between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin this afternoon, people with direct knowledge of the matter said. The official announcement is expected later in the day. The bilateral talks between the two leaders are going on. Mr Putin is India on a two-day visit; he arrived in the national capital on Thursday. The US has hinted at tough sanctions against any nation that buys advanced military hardware from Russia. Russia has been an important supplier of defence hardware to India for decades.
Delhi: Earlier visuals of delegation level talks between Russia and India at Hyderabad House #PutininIndia pic.twitter.com/bvRm0Xw4ip
- ANI (@ANI) October 5, 2018
Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi hugged as they went into talks in the Indian capital, underling the apparent warm rapport that the two strongmen leaders have built up in recent years.
Top of the list in their discussions was a deal worth over $5 billion to supply India Russia's S-400 air defence system as part of a $100-billion military upgrade by the world's top arms importer, according to AFP.
Deal for five Russian S-400 Triumf missile shield systems has been signed by India. Official announcement at 1.30 pm: Sources pic.twitter.com/zRCRv8yAeC
- ANI (@ANI) October 5, 2018
India's state-owned ONGC Videsh Limited (OVL) may also sign a pact with Gazprom, industry sources told Sputnik, according to ANI. OVL already has stakes in three operational projects in Russia.
A relationship radiating warmth and affection!
- Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) October 5, 2018
PM @narendramodi welcomed @KremlinRussia_E Vladimir Putin for the 19th India-Russia Annual Bilateral Summit continuing the series of fruitful engagements this year! #DruzbaDosti pic.twitter.com/KQQXrausdy
PM Modi received Putin at the Delhi's Hyderabad House and the two leaders warmly shook hands and hugged each other obliging cameramen.
Putin arrived at New Delhi on Thursday evening for the 19th India-Russia Bilateral Summit and held a private meeting with PM Modi at the latter's residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg.
#WATCH Russian President Vladimir Putin meets PM Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House in Delhi. #PutininIndia pic.twitter.com/rSzDQSwVxr
- ANI (@ANI) October 5, 2018
Prime Minister @narendramodi and Russian President #VladimirPutin arrive at Hyderabad House for the bilateral discussions@KremlinRussia_E @IndEmbMoscow #PutininIndia #IndiaRussia pic.twitter.com/tCo2FynlGD
- PIB India (@PIB_India) October 5, 2018
Delhi: Russian President Vladimir Putin meets PM Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House #PutininIndia pic.twitter.com/8wF64L4Cve
- ANI (@ANI) October 5, 2018
#NewDelhi: Meeting with Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi @narendramodi https://t.co/9CGG7PpGfZ pic.twitter.com/pVRLtWHl1h
- President of Russia (@KremlinRussia_E) October 4, 2018
Welcome to India, President Putin.
- Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 4, 2018
Looking forward to our deliberations, which will further enhance India-Russia friendship. @KremlinRussia_E pic.twitter.com/IlGwRrXgAK
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.
"We urge all of our allies and partners to forgo transactions with Russia that would trigger sanctions under CAATSA," a State Department Spokesperson said on Wednesday when asked about India's plan to purchase multi-billion S-400 missile defense system from Russia.
The Russian S-400 Triumf air defence missile system that India is looking to add to its arsenal has an operational range of over 400 km, and is considered one of the deadliest surface-to-air missiles or SAM in the world. Russian President Vladimir Putin, during his two-day India visit, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are expected to sign the deal for India's acquisition of the S-400 missile system.
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
Putin, who arrived in New Delhi late Thursday, is set to discuss with Prime Minister Narendra Modi further agreements worth some $3 billion for Russian naval ships and military helicopters.
Russia building its second nuclear power plant in India is on the table too, as is the training of Indian astronauts in Russia for New Delhi's first crewed space mission in 2022, reported AFP.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, who arrived in Delhi on Thursday, will get down to business with Prime Minister Narendra Modi today in a bilateral meeting that is expected to end with the signing of a number of big defence deals. One of the highlights of Mr Putin's visit is India's interest in buying the S-400 air defence missile system worth $5 billion, amid threat by the US of tough sanctions.