New Delhi [India], December 3 (ANI): Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Wednesday emphasized the significance of India’s relationship with Russia ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s highly anticipated visit.
Speaking to the media outside Parliament, Tharoor said, “It is a very important visit. It’s an extremely important relationship. We talk for a long time about strategic autonomy; we have to preserve our negotiating space with America, China, Russia.”
Highlighting India’s independent diplomatic approach, he added, “We cannot mortgage our autonomy to any other country’s interest. We have to have independent relationships with all countries. Russia is an old relationship, it is a serious relationship, strong relationship.”
President Putin is scheduled to visit India from December 4–5 for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Speaking at an investment forum in Moscow on Tuesday, Putin said the goal of numerous joint projects in energy, industry, space, agriculture, and other sectors is to elevate ties with Beijing and New Delhi. “We aim to elevate cooperation with the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of India to a qualitatively new level by strengthening its technological component. This is the objective of numerous joint projects in energy, industry, space, agriculture, and other sectors,” he said.
Earlier, Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov indicated that the sale of additional S-400 long-range anti-aircraft missiles could be on the agenda. “Highly on the agenda, and this could be discussed. Our military industry is working pretty well. Russian arms account for 36 percent of Indian armed forces, and hopefully this will continue,” Peskov said.
Russia also hopes to discuss the possibility of India acquiring the Su-57 fifth-generation stealth fighter. “Su-57 is the best plane in the world. Su-57 will be on the agenda,” Peskov added.
Regarding defense cooperation, he noted, “As far as our cooperation in the defense industry goes, let’s remember the famous BrahMos missiles. It’s not only production or acts of buying or selling; it’s also the exchange of high technologies, paving the way for a bright future in this field of cooperation. We are developing a variety of very complicated systems, and we are ready to share this with our Indian friends, our experience.”
Peskov also mentioned the possibility of an agreement on nuclear energy between India and Russia during the President’s visit. (ANI)
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