India, Russia seek to promote visa regimes, promote tourism and media links

Even as a $1 billion worth contract over manufacturing Kamov KA 226 light helicopters turns out the mainstay of India-Russia defence cooperation achieved during prime minister Narendra Modi’s latest visit to Moscow that concluded on Thursday, two other prominent defence deals that were being looked at failed to get formalised.

Russian Federation has been India’s biggest supplier of arms though New Delhi has started buying more military hardware from the U.S. in the last few years.

However, no progress was announced on an anticipated purchase of S-400 missiles, Russia’s top-of-the-line anti-aircraft defence system. On his address, PM Modi dubbed Russian Federation to be India’s most reliable ally which could play a catalyst in India’s economic transformation.

In the nuclear energy sector, India is expected to offer a site in Andhra Pradesh to set up units five and six of Kudankulam nuclear power plant.

“You see one can always feel sad and upset about lot of things that the Prime Minister or anybody is doing, but I think we should also feel happy for lot of things that are happening but unfortunately the Prime Minister has become target of anything that happens in this country”.

The discussions covered a wide range of issues including terrorism, cooperation in the fields of defence, security and energy and ways to enhance trade and investment besides facilitating easier movement of people.

Mr Modi is eager for Russian Federation to participate in various infrastructure projects as his government strives to revamp India’s railway network and build nuclear energy plants to meet growing electricity needs. Welcoming PM Modi, Imran Khan, Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) party, said he had also invited the Indian PM to Pakistan during his recent visit to India.

The two countries urged worldwide efforts to fight global terrorism within the framework of the UN, in strict compliance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions, and without double-standard, according to their joint statement. He said Russian Federation helped us when we faced war, and the Indian jawans were victorious. India is also involved in design and production of Russia’s new T-50 stealth fighter, but has not yet committed to the $10 billion deal.

Earlier, Modi had wished Sharif on his birthday.

In Pakistan, opposition senator Sherry Rehman said that while most Pakistanis backed better ties, parliament had not been consulted and it was unclear what concessions Islamabad was ready to make. He recalled that Moscow had “strongly supported” India’s accession to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the two countries were cooperating within the BRICS group, where India will take the rotating presidency in February 2016.