Putin’s visit more important than ever for India-Russia ties: Experts

Meanwhile, the government has approved the plan for production of over five lakh AK-203 assault rifles at Korwa in Amethi in Uttar Pradesh ahead of Putin’s visit. The government is seeing it as an endeavour to provide a big boost to self-reliance in defence manufacturing in India

As India gears up to host Vladimir Putin on Monday, experts highlight the significance of the visit of the Russian President for the annual summit between the leaders of both countries, which was postponed last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and amid increased speculation about the future of India-Russia ties.

According to Pushpesh Pant, professor, international relations at Jawaharlal Nehru University, Putin’s visit is much more important than it has ever been in the past five to six years. “What India is realising now is that over-dependence on America is not probably very reliable because what happened to Quad shows India that Americans can suddenly shift from Quad to Aukus. India realises that if it doesn’t reinforce ties with Russia, the country will gradually become even more reinforced from fortifying with China,” Pant said. “And the state of our relationship with China being what it is, India requires their S-400 missile and so on. We have been buying equipment from France, Israel and other countries including Canada. I think we would love to rediscuss our ties and community with interest in Russia,” he said.

Meanwhile, the government has approved the plan for production of over five lakh AK-203 assault rifles at Korwa in Amethi in Uttar Pradesh ahead of Putin’s visit. The government is seeing it as an endeavour to provide a big boost to self-reliance in defence manufacturing in India. The project, worth R5,100 crore, is in partnership with Russia. Sources said that this endeavour reflects the deepening ties between the two countries in the defence sector. The project will provide business opportunities to various MSMEs and other defence industries for supply of raw material, which will lead to generation of new employment opportunities. 

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