India and Russia  reportedly inked a $5 billion deal to procure Moscow’s most advanced air defence system, the S-400 Triumph

India and Russia signed 8 key pacts after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and and visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin held wide-ranging talks during the 19th India-Russia Annual Bilateral Summit here in New Delhi last Friday.
Mr Putin and PM Modi discussed 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.
Russia has also been invited to set up a dedicated defence industrial park in India by PM Modi. “We are committed to building a new India. We have to do this as early as possible,” PM Modi told to the Indian Media. India and Russia have been able to remain great friends over decades.Friendship between India, Russia never changed,  Narendra Modi added. India and Russia committed to cooperating in fight against terrorism: PM Modi.
In a joint statement issued after the talks at Hyderabad House, New Delhi PM Modi said that his  talks with Putin have given a new direction to Indo-Russia strategic partnership. He exuded confidence that the special strategic partnership between India and Russia will achieve new heights. Modi informed that Russia has “committed full support to India’s first manned space mission Gaganyaan”. India has set the 2022 deadline for country’s first human space flight.
Meanwhile, India and Russia also signed an agreement on the purchase of the $5 billion S-400 Triumf missile system despite the US warning. The US had warned that it will impose sanctions on countries doing business with Russia, Iran and North Korea under the new law – Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).
Speaking later, President Putin said that Moscow will step up cooperation with New Delhi in fighting the menace of terrorism and drug trafficking. Putin added that he also informed the Prime Minister about the prevailing situation in Syria and discussed the US sanctions on Iran. Last month, Washington had imposed sanctions on China for buying fighter jets and S-400 missile system.

During this visit, India and Russia signed  more than 20 deals related to energy, defence, space technology and scientific cooperation. But the main focus is on the S-400 Triumf air defence missile system which India wants to purchase from Russia.

Russia is considering building one more nuclear power plant. As we collaborate with India, we will further strengthen our cooperation in this regard.
We also want to boost India’s business prospects with Russia. We are now trying to reach new heights when it comes to developments, growth. We also see situation is improving in the labour market, Mr Putin said .
Vladimir Putin also answered certain questions while interacting with students. To a question on which scientist impacted him the most, he replied, “Hard to say which scientist, book, impresses me the most. I can list all scientists starting with Plato. They have all contributed significantly. They have made unique contribution to the human kind. I value people who devote their life to science”.
 
The Russian president is accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Trade and Industry Minister Denis Manturov.
 
(with inputs from Indian agencies)
 
Pratyusha Mukherjee, Journalist, Calcutta