Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said that on Tuesday he was assured by the Russian leadership that all the ongoing contracts for military supplies would be scheduled and expeditiously completed despite the impact of the Kovid-19 crisis.
Singh’s remarks, during a media interaction in Moscow, came against the backdrop of reports that India was expected to accelerate the delivery of S-400 missile defense systems after a strained standoff with Chinese troops along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) Is insisting on Russia. .
Russia, which accounts for more than 60% of the military hardware used by the Indian armed forces, has called for reducing tensions between China and India. On June 15, tensions escalated after 20 Indian soldiers were killed in a violent confrontation in the Galvan Valley.
“I have been assured that ongoing contracts will be maintained, and not only will they be maintained, they will be completed quickly and in a short period of time,” Singh said, adding that his talks with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov Described as very positive and productive. “.
“All our proposals have received positive response from the Russian side. Without giving details about the proposals, I am completely satisfied with my discussions.
Singh arrived in Russia on Monday – the first foreign trip after an overseas trip by an Indian leader was banned four months earlier due to an epidemic – with a high-level delegation to participate in the Victory Day parade on 24 June. Several meetings with Russian leaders are not planned, however, with their Chinese counterpart Wei Fenghe, who is in Moscow for the parade.
India plans to seek enhanced delivery of S-400 missile defense systems, which is currently in place by mid-2021. India and Russia signed a $ 5.4 billion agreement for the five systems in 2018. New Delhi is expected to ask Moscow to delay the supply of parts for major Russian-origin platforms, such as tanks, fighter jets and helicopters.
New Delhi’s request could potentially put Moscow in a difficult position due to its ties with Beijing. It is becoming increasingly difficult for Russia to maintain good relations with India and China, China expert Alexander Gabiew of the Carnegie Moscow Center told Bloomberg.
“This is a very important test of Russia’s ability to balance its relationship between China’s increasing dependence on Russia, which is becoming increasingly vocal and prompting its allies to choose sides,” Gbiew said .
The sale of the S-400 and more fighter jets to India will not deteriorate relations with China, Igor Korotchenko, head of the Center for Analysis of World Arms Trade. “The Indian arms market is a top priority for us,” he said. “There is no problem here for our relationship with China.”
Singh described defense cooperation as one of the important pillars of the India-Russia Special and Special Strategic Partnership and said that he and Borisov had reviewed defense relations. He said the traditional friendship between India and Russia is strong and the mutual interests of the two sides are “solid”.
On Tuesday morning, Defense Secretary Ajay Kumar also held talks with his Russian counterpart, Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin.
Singh said that pointing to the 75th anniversary of Victory Day, which marks the end of World War 2, Singh said Indian soldiers also participated in the war efforts of millions and faced heavy actions. “Many of them were part of the Soviet Army’s aid efforts. Therefore, it is a great honor that an Indian military party will march in Red Square tomorrow. It is a symbol of lasting friendship between the armed forces of our two countries.
Singh also said that India is looking forward to the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi later this year.
On Tuesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also hosted a virtual tripartite meeting with his Chinese and Indian counterparts Wang Yi and S. Jaishankar. After the meeting, Lavrov said, “India and China have every means to solve any problem they face in their relations … I don’t think India and China need any kind of help.” “
.
