Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin will discuss terrorism as a common danger to both nations and the region on Monday, citing the security situation in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan as a “shared worry.” Putin is set to arrive in New Delhi on Monday, with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu arriving on Sunday night. The two sides have worked “extremely closely” on the subject of terrorism threats, terrorist funding, and the flow of arms and narcotics trade, according to top government sources, and these topics are anticipated to be represented in the joint statement when Putin meets Modi.
New Delhi and Moscow have collaborated on at least three important multilateral groups, including the Russia-India-China (RIC), the BRICS, and the SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organization), according to a high government source, and the dialogue will continue during bilateral meetings. In reality, a new format, the 2+2 ministerial meeting between the Foreign and Defense ministries of both countries will take place on Monday, prior of the Putin-Modi bilateral summit in the evening, to reinforce the bilateral mechanism. Only the Quad nations, the United States, Japan, and Australia, have 2+2 ministerial frameworks with India thus far.
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Officials indicated that during the latest RIC conference, India pushed hard for references to the Financial Action Task Force to be included (FATF). While no terrorist entities from India-focused groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba or Jaish-e-Mohammed, or any other group, including the ETIM (East Turkestan Islamic Movement), are mentioned in the RIC joint document, a top government source said, “Terrorist entities have not been mentioned in the RIC joint document in the last 10-15 years of RIC statements.” Ahead of Putin’s arrival, India has approved the long-awaited AK-203 Kalashnikov weapons contract for around Rs 5,000 crore, which would see an Indo-Russian joint venture produce over 5 lakh guns in Korwa in Amethi.
The two parties are also negotiating to complete the last round of talks for a logistical support agreement, which is expected to be finalised during the 2+2 talks or at the summit. In keeping with their long-standing defence relations, India and Russia are expected to extend a framework for military-technical cooperation over the next decade, as well as announce a joint commission on technology and research. The two sides are also expected to finalise a number of defence procurement proposals, as well as discuss the long-stalled project to jointly produce 200 twin-engine Kamov-226T light helicopters for the Indian military. According to reports, the pacts to be signed will cover a wide variety of topics, including commerce, energy, culture, defence, and technology. In terms of defence cooperation, sources said the two countries would concentrate on co-production and co-development of military equipment and systems.
In terms of investment ties, they stated that the aim of $30 billion was fulfilled in 2018 and that the goal now is to raise it to $50 billion by 2025. According to sources, India wants to improve commercial links with Russia’s Far East, and 11 governors from the region have been invited to the next Vibrant Gujarat conference. At 11:30 a.m., the two countries’ Foreign and Defense Ministers will conduct a “2+2” dialogue. Before the 21st India-Russia summit at 5.30 p.m., Modi and Putin will have a one-on-one meeting.
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Before departing from New Delhi at 9:30 p.m., the Russian leader will be treated to a meal. India is expected to inform Russia of its position on the eastern Ladakh border dispute, as well as its worries about different regional events, according to sources. Both India and Russia have a structure in place where the prime minister of India and the president of Russia meet once a year to examine their complete range of connections. The most recent India-Russia Annual Summit took place in September 2019, during Modi’s visit to Vladivostok. Due to the pandemic, the annual meeting could not take place in 2020.
