India, Russia ink mega defence deal, PM Modi says 'India gives priority to ties with Russia'

In a historic move, India signed a deal with Russia for the acquisition of the advanced S-400 Triumf air defence missile system on Friday. Russian President Vladimir Putin, who reached Delhi on Thursday, held the annual bilateral summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House and signed the mega defence deal on Friday.

Russia signed a deal with India to supply five regiments of S-400 anti-aircraft missiles to India, Interfax news agency quoted Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying on Friday, news agency Reuters reported

"India gives priority to its relations with Russia. Russia has always been a part of India's growth story," PM Modi was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

"Our countries have mutual benefits in supporting struggle against terrorism, Afghanistan & Indo-Pacific events, climate change; organisations like SCO, BRICS, G20 & ASEAN. We have agreed to continue cooperation to these international organisations," PM Modi added.

India and Russia also signed a pact on Friday to develop six nuclear power projects in India, following summit talks between their leaders in New Delhi.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also agreed to cooperate on India's plan for a manned space mission.

Addressing the joint press conference President Putin said the deal will help broaden the 'cooperation' between both the countries.

"India-Russia share deep ties. We have outlined plans for a long-term partnership. Deals signed today will help broaden our cooperation," Putin said.

The key agenda during the Putin's visit was to sign the pact for India's acquisition of the advanced S-400 Triumf air defence missile system along with the deal for additional four stealth frigates, with a top Kremlin aide saying Tuesday that Russian President Putin will oversee the signing of the $5 billion deal. Six such frigates of the similar class are already part of the Indian Navy.

Russia is India's biggest defence supplier. It is the only country which leased the nuclear submarine Chakra to India. 

The deal for five S-400 Triumf missile air defence systems was earlier clouded due to the US' Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) which was signed into law by United States President Donald Trump. The CAATSA laid sanctions against any country having 'significant transaction' with Russia, Iran and North Korea.

Laxman Behera, Research Fellow, Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses while accepting the possibility of the formation of Joint Working Group for Military Cooperation, said that "India has to deal with the challenges to maintain the strategic ties with Russia and also to have good relations with the US."

The five components of the Russia-India privileged partnership are politics, development, civil-nuclear cooperation, counter-terrorism and space.

India and Russia have raised their bilateral military exercise Indra to the tri-services level. All the three services from both the countries will exercise together, which is first of its kind with any other country.

India intends to use the five batallions worth over $5 billion to augment its defences along the 4,000-km India-China border. 

Besides bilateral talks, Putin will attend the India-Russia Business Summit and is also scheduled to interact with a group of talented children.

Puti arrived on a two-day visit to hold the annual bilateral summit with PM Modi. The Russian President who is accompanied by a high-level delegation, was received by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.

(With agency inputs)