Defence deals and military ties are expected to top the agenda of a summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and India Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Monday.
Putin’s visit is his second trip outside Russia since the COVID-19 pandemic struck.
Putin visited Geneva in July for a meeting with United States President Joe Biden.
The visit comes at a time when India is taking delivery of Russian-made S-400 air defence missile systems, a deal that could lead to sanctions from the U.S.
Ajay Bhatt, Indian junior defence minister, said in the parliament recently that the government will make sovereign decisions based on its defence needs.
Strategic and trade ties as well as regional issues like Afghanistan were to be discussed at the Putin-Modi summit, as well as at meetings between the two countries’ defence and finance ministers, also on Monday.
Several agreements are expected to be signed during the visit, including one on production of AK-203 assault rifles in India and another on sharing logistics and facilities at each other’s’ bases, the Hindustan Times newspaper reported.(dpa/NAN)
