Here’s What the India-Russia Bilateral Agreements Outline

Last night, Prime Minister Modi was hosted by Putin at a private tete-a-tete in Kremlin during which the two leaders touched upon issues of mutual interest for both countries.

With aim to expand cooperation in various sectors, the two countries signed 16 pacts which include joint manufacture of Kamov 226 helicopters and construction of 12 atomic plants with involvement of local companies in India.

The Indian premier said that Russian Federation has always stood with India and this due to the friendship, not merely about give and take relationship.

President of Russia has shown very grand gesture to the Indian Prime Minister, who is on two days visit to Russia to attend the 16th India-Russia annual summit meeting.

“I am pleased to note, and I am happy to do that, that we are consistently and confidently developing the privileged strategic partnership between India and Russian Federation”, he said.

Party spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said it was “sad that Russians had to remind Modi that he has to respect his anthem“.

Around 19 Indian CEOs have travelled with Modi for this meeting, including Anil Ambani, chairman, Reliance Group, Baba N Kalyani, chairman and managing director, Bharat Forge Limited, and Ravi Ruia, vice-chairman, Essar Group.

The Prime Minister’s visit to Moscow came at a time when the United States and the European Union have chose to impose trade restrictions on Russian Federation following Russia’s a year ago invasion of Crimea and aggression in eastern Ukraine. Affirming that their cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy is a cornerstone of the Russia-India strategic partnership, the two leaders appreciated the progress made in the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project and agreed to expedite the implementation of ongoing and upcoming projects there.

Russian Federation could play a key role in India’s diamond trade sector, he added.

Besides, India’s recent decision for purchase of almost Rs 40,000 crore Russian S-400 Triumf air defence missile systems too didn’t form a part of the joint declaration.

Earlier on Thursday, Modi visited Russia’s National Crisis Management Centre (NCMC), also known as EMERCOM, a multi-level coordination centre created to provide inter-agency coordination and alert people about the threat of emergency situations.

“The prime minister, especially while travelling overseas, is representing 1.2 billion people of our country”.

Just as I have had the pleasure of visiting Russian Federation twice this year, I look forward to welcoming President Putin in India next year for the BRICS Summit as well as the Annual Summit.

Given India’s growth to become one of the world’s largest economies and its growing military strength, Putin supported the nuclear power’s quest for a permanent seat on the U.N. Security Council.