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Modi’s minister tells Putin India-Russia friendship is ‘deeper than deepest ocean’ regardless of Ukraine strain


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India’s defence minister, Rajnath Singh, reaffirmed to Russian president Vladimir Putin that their bilateral relationship remained robust regardless of the “huge strain” of world geopolitical challenges.

Mr Singh concluded a three-day go to to Moscow on Wednesday that was focussed on getting the Russians to expedite the export of the S-400 missile system. The supply of the weapons system was delayed by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

India’s diplomatic and commerce ties with Russia have persevered regardless of Western strain on New Delhi to drag away from Moscow on account of its struggle in Ukraine.

“Friendship between our nations is increased than the best mountain and deeper than the deepest ocean,” the minister informed Mr Putin on Tuesday.

“Even if there are geopolitical challenges and there may be huge strain on India of a private and non-private nature,” he stated, “India has made a acutely aware determination that it’s going to not solely proceed shut contacts with Russia however will even deepen and broaden our cooperation.”

India has averted straight criticising Russia for its invasion of Ukraine however referred to as for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the battle.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky had referred to as on Indian prime minister Narendra Modi in October to make use of his affect on Mr Putin to push for an finish to the struggle. Mr Zelensky stated Mr Modi has “enormous affect” on Mr Putin and may take a “actual step”.

Russia has been a key companion for India for the reason that Chilly Struggle period and so they have continued to broaden cooperation in defence, nuclear power, oil, and house exploration regardless of Western strain.

Vladimir Putin and Indian defence minister Rajnath Singh attend a meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow

Vladimir Putin and Indian defence minister Rajnath Singh attend a gathering on the Kremlin in Moscow (EPA)

Mr Singh met Russian defence minister Andrey Belousov for the twenty first session of the Inter-Governmental Fee on Army and Army Cooperation.

He pressed Russia to expedite the supply of the remaining two items of the S-400 Triumf surface-to-air missile system, a vital element of India’s air defence modernisation programme.

The $5bn (£3.8bn) deal signed in 2018 to accumulate 5 S-400 regiments was considered one of India’s most important navy procurements. The deal confronted scrutiny by Western nations and the specter of US sanctions, which Delhi ultimately managed to have waived off.

Delhi has obtained three items of the missile system and two extra are scheduled to be delivered by the tip of 2025. The Covid pandemic and the Ukraine struggle disrupted Russian defence manufacturing and export chains, inflicting delays within the supply to India.

Russian mobile surface-to-air missile system S-400 Triumf is displayed during the Victory Day military parade rehearsal in Red Square, Moscow

Russian cell surface-to-air missile system S-400 Triumf is displayed through the Victory Day navy parade rehearsal in Pink Sq., Moscow (EPA)

Mr Singh additionally attended the commissioning ceremony for India’s newest naval vessel on the Kaliningrad shipyard on Monday. INS Tushil, a stealth guided missile frigate, was one of many 4 vessels contracted by India from Russia in 2018. “The ship is a proud testomony to India’s rising maritime power and a major milestone in long-standing bilateral relations with Russia,” Mr Singh stated.

India, the world’s greatest importer of weapons, has depended closely on Russia for its defence wants, with Moscow its greatest defence companion.

The Ukraine struggle has solid a shadow on the defence partnership, nevertheless, with information displaying a gentle decline in India’s navy tools orders with Russia and a pivot to Western suppliers.

Russia accounted for about 36 per cent of India’s arms imports final yr, a pointy decline from 76 per cent in 2009, in keeping with a report launched in March this yr by the Stockholm Worldwide Peace Analysis Institute, a assume tank targeted on battle, arms commerce and disarmament.

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