Oct 5, 2018 10:00 Hrs GMT +(5:30) | Vladimir Putin (L) & Narendra Modi (R) New Delhi
NEW DELHI – India and Russia on Friday formally sealed the USD 5 billion S-400 air defence system deal and signed eight pacts at the two day annual bilateral summit in New Delhi on Friday Oct 5th. The two sides also inked pacts in areas ranging from defence, railways nuclear energy, space and economy.
After wide-ranging talks, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday signed the defense deal despite the US warning. Both the sides also talked about taking “decisive” action without “double standards” to tackle the menace of terrorism.
The signing of defense deal between India and Russia may invite US sanctions. However, in a guarded statement, the US embassy in New Delhi said that its intent to slap sanctions against Russia was not aimed at imposing damage to the military capabilities of its “allies or partners”, PTI reported. Section 231 of the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) invites sanctions if any country signs an agreement with a nation deemed hostile to US interests.
The statement recorded that both sides “welcomed the conclusion of the contract for the supply of the S-400 Long Range Surface to Air Missile System to India” and expressed “satisfaction” on the progress in other military projects, such as the purchase of small arms, tanks and armored carriers.
S-400 , Airfield Tsentralnaya Uglovaya, Primorye Territory. Vitaliy Ankov / Sputnik
Russia is India’s top military equipment supplier since its independence and helped India in term of setting up heavy metal industries post independence, delivered technology transfer as well, a key to decision making ability in a war like situations.
Why technology transfer is necessary specifically in Defense equipment?
According to a Defense point of view, Technology Transfer play crucial role in a war like situation or if there is a possibility of world war to broke out – Take an example here; Suppose Country A purchased a sophisticated nuclear submarine from Country B without technology transfer. After a month Country C (Ally of Country B) attacked country A, and in this situation if a supply parts needed for A for his Nuclear submarine, than B simply stop or delay supply parts to favor C (remember C is close ally of B ) and A has to loose war at the end because of short or no supply of parts and fuels, or lack of technology Transfer or literally means capability to manufacture necessary parts itself without dependency in own country.
S-400 is the Best Air Defense Available
Major General PK Chakrovorty (retired), who spent decades shaping India’s air defense capabilities in the army feels that the S-400 is the best air defense system available to the country.
“The Americans are not even offering the Air Defense (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) air defense system to Japan, one of their closest allies. So why will they offer it to India? Nor is the Patriot system available. That makes the S-400 the best and in many ways, it is even better,” Chakrovorty said.
The Russian S-400 Air Defense system has an approximate range of 400 kilometers, much more than the 180km that the US Air Defense system offers.
“The S-400 cruises at Mach 5.9. S-400 has three radars – a search radar, a tracking radar and one on board the missile. This enhances its capability to hit a high-speed moving target with incredible accuracy,” Chakrovorty said.
The fact that it will be coupled with the US NASAMS is also a factor from a strategic view. “S-400 can also counter stealth aircraft and that is a major plus,” Chakrovorty added.
In the past, deals with Russian have included long leases on nuclear submarines. From the mid-1980s, such leases helped India build its indigenous nuclear submarine.
India-Russia sign a crucial eight pacts along with S-400 Air Defense System
Both the sides signed eight pacts in areas ranging from defense, railways nuclear energy, space and economy. A crucial MoU was signed between Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and the Federal Space Agency of Russia ‘ROSCOSMOS’ on joint activities in the field of human spaceflight programme Gaganyaan.
Union Cabinet Minister said that Cochin Shipyard has inked a pact with Russian firm United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC) to boost water transportation in India. Calling on Russian investors to tap the vast opportunities in India’s infrastructure space, he said India has huge potential and appetite for innovation in the field. The water resources minister was addressing the India-Russia Business Summit in New Delhi.
In the field of agriculture, a pact was signed between Russia’s PhosAgro the world’s leading producer of phosphate-based nutrients and Indian Potash Ltd. The Indian company has agreed to import up to 2 million tonnes of fertilizers worth USD 1 billion (over Rs 7,300 crore) from PhosAgro, over the next three years.
The two sides are also looking at the possibility of building a gas pipeline from Russia to India to supply energy, a joint statement said.
An MoU was also signed between India’s Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) and Russia’s SIRIUS to further the Interaction between young people of India and Russia, especially schoolchildren. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Putin interacted with some young talents drawn from AIM and SIRIUS educational center today.
India, Russia unites to root out cross-border terrorism, call for collaborative action
During the summit, PM Modi said that India and Russia are committed to cooperating in the fight against terrorism. President Putin also said the two countries have agreed to step up cooperation in combating the menace of terrorism and drug trafficking. India and Russia condemned cross-border terrorism also called for a “decisive” response to the menace of international terrorism without any “double standards”.
In a joint statement issued after the 19th India-Russia annual summit, the two countries agreed to “converge their efforts” to eradicate terrorist networks, their sources of financing, arms and fighters’ supply channels, to counter terrorist ideology, propaganda and recruitment.
PM Modi talks about trade ties with Russia
The two leaders also participated in the Russia-India business summit where PM Modi termed Russia as New Delhi’s traditional ally. He said that times have changed but the relationship with Moscow has remained the same. He reiterated the close partnership with Russia and said that the bilateral trade has also grown over the years as it rose to 20 per cent in 2017-18.
PM Modi also invited Russia to set up a dedicated defense industrial park in India as he looked to expand ties with Moscow. He stated that India is the most open economy in respect to FDI. “We are committed to building a new India. We have to do this as early as possible,” he was quoted saying by PTI.
Listing vast business opportunities in India, he said India is modernizing its ports under Sagarmala project, building metro rail projects in 50 cities, expanding rail and road network and modernizing airports.
India, Russia ask countries to fully implement Paris pact on climate change
While committing to promote green development and low-carbon economy, India and Russia Friday asked all countries to fully implement the Paris Agreement on climate change. In a joint statement issued after the 19th India-Russia annual summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin, both the nations also asked developed countries to provide financial and technological support to developing economies to enhance their capability in mitigation and adaptation.
“The sides committed to further promote green development and low-carbon economy, in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication,” the statement said.
Before leaving India after the conclusion of the summit today, Putin also met President Ram Nath Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. Vladimir Putin landed in India on a two-day visit with a high-level delegation on Thursday and was received by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. PM Modi yesterday hosted a private dinner for Putin at his official residence at 7, Lok Kalyaan Marg, as the two leaders warmed up to the main summit on Friday.