Although Russia wants India and China to resolve the Ladakh military confrontation bilaterally, President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi maintain a close personal relationship that is the basis of the bilateral Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Modi called President Putin to wish him his 68th birthday, just as the latter called Prime Minister Modi to wish him on his 70th birthday on September 17. In a tweet, Prime Minister Modi later said that he appreciated Putin’s “immense personal contribution” to strengthening the special and privileged strategic alliance between the two countries. Among others who congratulated President Putin on his birthday were leaders of Israel, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Moldova, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.
It is interesting to note that while Russia and China have an economic and security relationship, the personal touch between President Putin and President Xi Jinping has been lacking on both sides.
According to diplomats based in Moscow and New Delhi, while Russia has offered India winter clothing and Sprut light tanks with a T-90 barrel for the Ladakh confrontation, there are reports that Moscow has delayed the supply of the second surface S- 400. to the aerial missile system apparently due to the coronavirus pandemic. China has contracted to purchase four S-400 systems from Russia, the first of which has already been deployed near Nyingchi in Arunachal Pradesh.
India has an agreement to buy 5 S-400 systems from Russia, deliveries of which are likely to start late next year. The order of additional Su-30 MKI and MiG-29 fighters to replenish the reserve is already scheduled.
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