What makes Modi-Putin meet an eye-catcher

India will be inking at least three key defence purchase deals with Russia during President Vladimir Putin's visit to New Delhi. These deals would violate the sanctions imposed by the US.

Vladimir Putin and Narendra Modi to hold annual summit talks in New Delhi
India and Russia to sign about 20 bilateral agreements during President Vladimir Putin's two-day visit. 

HIGHLIGHTS

  • India, Russia to sign 20 bilateral agreements during Putin's two-day visit
  • Pacts include three key defence deals for purchase of missiles, frigates and helicopters
  • Defence purchase deals violate sanctions imposed by the US
Russian President Vladimir Putin's two-day visit to India beginning today, October 4 and summit talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi have kept two of the biggest powers - the US and China - on tenterhooks.
The 19th India-Russia annual bilateral summit is being keenly watched by both the US and China besides Pakistan. India and Russia would be signing 20 bilateral agreements but the focus would be on three key deals.
The first deal pertains to S-400 Triumf air defence missile systems that India would be purchasing from Russia for $5 billion. The second agreement is also a defence deal and it involves purchase of four Krivak-class frigates worth $2 billion.
And, there is third big defence deal for the purchase of 200 light utility Ka-226 helicopters for $1 billion. This chopper deal has already been agreed upon through an inter-governmental agreement. Of the 200 Ka-226 helicopters, 60 would be built in Russia and the rest in India.
But why this is significant?
Well, India has an ageing hardware of air defence systems, much of which depend on Soviet-era MiG jets. A plan to upgrade the defence hardware is undergoing at the cost of $100 billion. India has been the biggest arms importers for years. The need for defence upgrade makes India a huge market for top arms suppliers.
Russia has been the biggest supplier of arms to India in post-Stalin (former Russian President Joseph Stalin died in 1953) era. It is estimated that Russia supplies about 60 per cent of all defence-related imports by India.
So, a few more deals with Russia should not raise eyebrows across the continents. But here is a catch. The US has imposed a sanction on arms purchase from Russia under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).
The CAASTA is mandated by the US Congress. This means, India is violating CAATSA by signing the defence deals with Russia. Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman recently countered the sanctions by saying, "India has maintained its sovereignty as regards to its relationship with countries. We shall maintain it in all earnestness."
But despite India's insistence on going ahead with the purchase of advance defence systems from Russia, the Donald Trump administration can't risk antagonising India when it counts on the country to counter China's growing influence on the world.
There are talks that the US will use the power of presidential waiver to India-Russia defence deals ahead of the proposed joint military deals. The US is also in talks with India for the sale of Apache attack helicopters and armed drones.
Why India needs S-400 missiles?
S-400 is regarded as the most advanced long-range surface-to-air missile defence system of Russia. It is an upgraded version of S-300 systems, being used by the Russian military since 2007.
China became the first buyer of S-400 defence systems in 2014 by inking a government-to-government agreement. The delivery of S-400 missiles to China has begun.
The procurement of S-400 missiles will strengthen India's air-defence capabilities. India is concerned about the security of its northern border, most of which lies with China.
The near 4,000 km-long border with China, as has been flagged by experts, has loopholes that require urgent and immediate plugging. S-400 missiles will do the needful.

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