Russia has agreed for joint manufacturing of military hardware and spare parts for the maintenance of Russian-origin arms and defence equipment in India. Defence cooperation was one of the key areas during the summit talks held between India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday.
The Indian Armed Forces had a concern about the delays in the supply of critical spares and equipment from Russia. These delays then impacted the maintenance of Russian-origin military systems, and with now this joint-manufacturing in India, this would ease the concern of the forces.
"Both sides agreed to encourage joint manufacturing in India of spare parts, components, aggregates and other products for maintenance of Russian origin arms and defence equipment under the Make-in-India programme through transfer of technology," a joint statement said.
It said both sides also agreed to set up joint ventures for meeting the needs of the Indian armed forces as well as subsequent export to mutually friendly third countries.
The joint statement said the India-Russia defence partnership is being reoriented to take up joint co-development and co-production of advanced defence technology and systems.
In their meeting on Thursday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Russian counterpart Andrey Belousov resolved to expand bilateral defence cooperation.
In the meeting, the Indian side showed keen interest in the procurement of additional batches of S-400 missile systems from Moscow to bolster its combat prowess.
In October 2018, India signed a USD 5 billion deal with Russia to buy five units of the S-400 air defence missile systems, notwithstanding a warning by the US that going ahead with the contract may invite US sanctions under the provisions of Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).
Three squadrons have already been delivered. The S-400 systems played a crucial role during Operation Sindoor. India may also look at procuring the S-500 missile systems from Russia.
In the Modi-Putin talks, the two sides also agreed to continue jointly developing systems of bilateral trade settlements through the use of national currencies.
Additionally, the two sides agreed to continue their consultations on enabling the interoperability of the national payment systems, financial messaging systems, as well as central bank digital currency platforms.
Modi and Putin appreciated the ongoing intensification of the joint work on a free trade agreement on goods between India and the Eurasian Economic Union, covering sectors of mutual interest, the joint statement said, and added that they also directed both sides to intensify efforts in negotiations on a mutually beneficial agreement on the promotion and protection of investment.
India and Russia also welcomed steps to ensure the long-term supply of fertilisers to India and discussed the potential establishment of joint ventures in this area.
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