Strengthening Ties: Russia's Deputy PM Discusses Investment and Defense with India
Enhancing India-Russia Relations
New Delhi: On Thursday, Denis Manturov, Russia's First Deputy Prime Minister, met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to explore avenues for enhancing bilateral relations, particularly in investment, energy, and industrial sectors.
During his two-day visit to India, Manturov also engaged in discussions with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
According to the Russian embassy, the talks between Modi and Manturov focused on actionable steps to fulfill agreements made during the India-Russia summit last December.
The discussions emphasized the importance of boosting trade, economic ties, and cooperation in energy and industry, as highlighted on social media.
Doval and Manturov also addressed defense collaboration and the current regional security landscape during their meeting.
This visit comes shortly after India approved the acquisition of an additional five S-400 missile systems from Russia.
The decision to procure these systems follows their successful performance during Operation Sindoor, which showcased their effectiveness in maintaining India's strategic advantage over Pakistan during the May 7-10 conflicts last year.
In October 2018, India had entered into a $5 billion agreement with Russia for five units of the S-400 air defense systems, despite warnings from the US regarding potential sanctions under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).
So far, three squadrons have been delivered.
The discussions also included perspectives on the West Asia conflict and its implications for the global economy, particularly in the energy sector.
Both parties reviewed the outcomes of the summit between Prime Minister Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin held last December.
Following their discussions, India and Russia announced a comprehensive plan, including a five-year strategy aimed at establishing a strong economic partnership and increasing annual trade to $100 billion by 2030.
Recently, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov praised India's independent foreign policy and expressed eagerness to host Prime Minister Modi for a visit this year.
At a conference titled 'India and Russia Towards a New Bilateral Agenda,' he remarked that the enduring friendship between the two nations serves as a model for international relations grounded in mutual trust and respect.