During the upcoming visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to New Delhi, India plans to start negotiations on new defense agreements, in particular the purchase of Russian fighter jets and a state-of-the-art missile defense system, Bloomberg reported, citing its sources.
According to them, the talks are planned at a time when “the Trump administration is seeking to reduce military interactions between New Delhi and Moscow“. “India and Russia, whose relations are defined as a special and privileged strategic partnership, intend to discuss the possible supply of fifth-generation Su-57 fighter jets, as well as the prospects for acquiring a modernized version of the S-500 missile defense system“, Bloomberg reported.
The agency noted that “a potential agreement between India and Russia could complicate New Delhi's trade deal with the United States, which has traditionally opposed expanding Indian defense cooperation with Moscow and has expressed concerns about purchases of Russian weapons“.
On November 28, Indian Deputy Defense Minister Rajesh Kumar Singh announced that New Delhi could discuss the supply of additional Russian S-400 missile defense systems during Russian President Vladimir Putin's state visit to New Delhi on December 4-5. He said that "discussion of this issue is not ruled out, but statements on this issue should not be expected". He noted that during the talks with the Russian leader, broader aspects of defense cooperation will be discussed. Singh recalled that India "has a large defense program with Russia".
Earlier, the Kremlin press service announced that Putin's visit provides an opportunity for a comprehensive discussion of the entire broad agenda of Russian-Indian relations - a privileged strategic partnership in the political, trade, economic, scientific and technological, cultural and humanitarian spheres, as well as for consideration of current international and regional issues, the Kremlin stressed.