The 16th India-Russia annual summit starts in Moscow

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared his country’s staunch support of Syrian sovereignty and an end to the civil war in the country during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow Thursday.

The meeting was held in the Kremlin following the annual summit-level meeting between India and Russian Federation. “Was shown aspects relating to disaster management & how technology is used in this field”, Modi tweeted following the visit. He also hoped that, Russia-India cooperation is very much essential to build up a multi-polar world. Moscow, traditionally India’s biggest – and most dependable – supplier of military equipment, has in recent years voiced concern, even frustration with the greater volume of deals India has eyed and struck with the USA and European partners like France and the UK.

Putin said India and Russian Federation were already successfully producing supersonic, ship-based Brahmos missiles which would be soon delivered to the Indian navy.

Indian Prime Minister was presented a page from the diary of Mahatma Gandhi and an 18th century Indian sword by the Russian President Vladimir Putin. He said that it is a matter of pride that so many people in Russian Federation express their fondness for India’s cultural heritage.

“We are certain that it is in the interests of the world community to form a wide anti-terrorist coalition operating on the basis of worldwide law and under the auspices of the United Nations”, Putin said.

A media report last week said that India’s top acquisition body had cleared the purchase of Russia’s most advanced S-400 air defence systems. It’s time to revamp India-Russia ties for the 21st century.

Putin also gifted Modi a late-18th century Indian sword from Bengal province that features intricate silver artwork.

Modi is seeking to expand the country’s nuclear energy use to meet the rising energy needs of the coal-dependent nation amid global warming risks, with a programme for at least 12 new reactors.

He, along with Putin, also addressed chief executives of Russian and Indian companies and invited Russia’s private sector to be a partner in India’s prosperity.

According to TASS, following the talks, a number of bilateral agreements are expected to be inked, in particular on transport, trade, energy and reciprocal trips of the citizens. It will be the first large-scale project of the government’s “Make in India” initiative to encourage local and foreign companies to manufacture in India.

“This project will be implemented under the inter-governmental pact between India and Russian Federation”, a source said.

On the basis of the deal, Russia’s state-owned Almaz-Antey will manufacture S-400 air defence systems jointly with Reliance Defence for the Indian armed forces.