Russia – India: Talks Between Putin and Modi Begin in Kremlin on Monday

A number of important agreements will be signed, particularly on the development of military-technical cooperation between the two countries

Vladimir Putin e Narendra Modi

Next Monday and Tuesday (July 8-9) will be two more very busy days in terms of international contacts for Russian President Vladimir Putin, who will receive Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Kremlin. The state visit to Russia will be Modi’s first foreign trip after his reappointment as India’s chief executive. Modi will bring a large and representative delegation to Russia.

Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Putin and Modi will hold talks first in a limited format, with only interpreters present, and then in a format expanded for delegations. According to Peskov, the talks will focus on a wide range of international and bilateral issues, so it is likely to be more than a one-on-one meeting between Putin and the Indian prime minister. “This will be a visit of the highest level. And we hope that the two leaders will be able to chat informally. And, of course, there will be negotiations both in a narrow format, directly in the Kremlin, and in an expanded format, as part of delegations,” Peskov explained.

On the sidelines of the Russia-India summit, a package of agreements and memorandums is expected to be signed, one of which will be devoted to the development of bilateral military-technical cooperation and military logistics.

Russia not only supplies India’s armed forces with fighter-bombers, warships, submarines, and armored vehicles. There are several joint ventures to manufacture light weapons, which are in great demand in the Indian Army.

On the eve of Modi’s visit, ANI news agency reported that Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL), a joint venture between Russian state-owned Rosoboronexport and India’s Korwa Ordnance Factory of Amethi, state of Uttar Pradesh, has delivered the first batch of 35,000 new Kalashnikov AK-203 assault rifles for the Indian Army.

The production was shifted to India in full compliance with the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan (Self-Sufficient India) programs. The project involves technology transfer and 100% localization of production of the 200-series assault rifles, including the AK-203.

Rosoboronexport CEO Alexander Mikheyev told Indian media that “to increase the degree of localization, all necessary technologies and equipment have been installed at the Indian plant to allow production to start.”