Around 5 pm, Russian President Vladimir Putin will arrive in India for one of the most strategic summits that will have far-reaching implications not only for the two nations but for world relations also.
While New Delhi is cozying up to Moscow for the mega-billion defence deals, the looming US sanctions can’t be overlooked.
Even as New Delhi tries this diplomatic tango, the defence deals will also have bearing on the electoral fate of the BJP in 2019 elections. With ongoing Rafale controversy, Modi government would like to put these Indo-Russian defence deals as a milestone.
On Friday, the two nations will sign the deals. The focus during the visit will be on the S-400 Triumf air defence missile systems agreement with a top Kremlin aide saying Tuesday that Russian President Putin will oversee the signing of the "USD 5 billion deal".
S-400 is known as Russia's most advanced long-range surface-to-air missile defence system. China was the first foreign buyer to seal a government-to-government deal with Russia in 2014 to procure the lethal missile system and Moscow has already started delivery of an undisclosed number of the S-400 missile systems to Beijing.
The S-400 is an upgraded version of the S-300 systems. The missile system, manufactured by Almaz-Antey, has been in service in Russia since 2007.
Apart from S-400 missiles, Moscow is also likely to ink $2.5 billion deal for four more Krivak/Talwar class stealth frigates for the Indian Navy. Under the agreement, two of the warships will be constructed at the Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad and the other two at the Goa Shipyard Limited.
Not just defence, Russia has also expressed interest in helping India in its manned space mission. There are reports that Moscow has offered to train Indian astronauts for the 2022 moon mission.
The Indo-Russia summit comes at a time when the US on Wednesday urged its allies not to enter into transactions with Russia and warned that it would trigger American sanctions.
