India is expected to be the world’s third largest economy in the next decade and they are eager to purchase Russian weaponry, energy sources, and technologies, including advanced S-400 missile-systems.
The USA has long played a critical role in the region, especially since it conquered and occupied Afghanistan in 2001. The USA is also has a close relationship with Pakistan, a major rival of India.
A traditional friendship and a privileged partnership: that’s how Vladimir Putin and Narendra Modi described the Russia-India relationship.
The leaders congratulated each other on New Year’s in a phone conversation. The Indian prime minister sent his best regards to the Russians in connection with Christmas.
The personal relations have undoubtedly given a boost to the Russian-Indian relationship over the last few years. Those warm hugs during the latest ASEAN summit in Singapore are the best demonstration of the level of mutual understanding.
Over four months, from September to December of 2018, the Indian and Russian military’s held the joint exercise “Indra”. The armies of the two countries have exercised an operation on the elimination of insurgents on land, in the sea, and in the air.
The partnership is the economic ties. We should increase the trade to the level of $30 billion. The supply of the Russian weaponry is the main article in the shopping cart. The $5 billion contract on purchasing the S-400 systems by India has topped all records.
The “Brahmos” missile system, one of the most successful joint projects, has recently marked its 20th anniversary. For India, who is 75% dependent on imports, Russian gas and oil are a strategic industry.
Indian companies participate in the development of the Sakhalin-1 deposit, while Gazprom is obligated to supply India with LNG, worth almost $2 billion in total, over the next two decades.
India is preparing to take part in the Russian energy projects in the Arctic and the Far East developments.
Narendra Modi will have an opportunity to see this region in person in September: Vladimir Putin invited the Indian prime minister to take part in the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok as the main guest.
It’s notable that Russian observers will be present at the Indian ballot stations. That’s why, among other things, Vladimir Putin wished Modi luck in the upcoming elections during the phone call.
Russia Insider / ABC Flash Point News 2019.
