New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said Russia will remain India’s top Defence supplier, even though New Delhi’s “options have increased”. Modi was speaking after summit talks with President Vladimir Putin aimed at revitalising ties that have focused on the import of defence equipment. The two countries signed 20 pacts that covered oil exploration, infrastructure and nuclear energy.
“Russia will supply at least 10 more nuclear energy reactors for India under an agreement aimed at boosting nuclear energy cooperation. India has agreed to identify a second site, in addition to Kudankulam in Tamil Nadu, for Russian-designed nuclear power units†Said Modi
President Putin met Modi at New Delhi’s Hyderabad House. His visit is seen as an attempt to revive a historic friendship that has faded over the years.
This is Putin’s first summit with Modi at a time when Russia is at odds with the West over Ukraine, and its economy is stalling as oil prices tumble to their lowest point in five years. The two leaders had met on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Brazil in July and during the G-20 summit in Australia last month.
The close ties that India and Russia once shared are seen to have waned. Bilateral trade, at $10 billion, is now one-ninth of that between Russia and China. Moscow also recently sealed a military cooperation pact with Pakistan after lifting its embargo on arms supplies to that country and is in talks to supply Islamabad with combat helicopters.
The Russian president is seeking new markets for his country’s natural resources as its economy reels under US and EU sanctions over its backing of an uprising in Ukraine and annexation of Crimea.
Since coming to power Modi has sought closer ties with US President Barack Obama, who has accepted an invitation to join India’s Republic Day celebrations in January. But India has opposed joining the Western sanctions against Russia.
As President Putin arrived in Delhi, PM Modi tweeted in Russian, “Delighted to welcome President Putin to India. Looking forward to a productive visit that will take India, Russia ties to newer heights.” He also said, “Times have changed, our friendship has not. Now we want to take this relation to the next level and this visit is a step in that direction.”