Patna To Putin’s Party: Meet Russian ‘MLA’ Abhay Kumar Singh Who Is Urging India To Acquire Exclusive S-500 Missile System | India News

Ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India, a Patna-born doctor-turned-politician who serves in the Russian legislature has made a strong public pitch for New Delhi to purchase Moscow’s most advanced air defense system, the S-500.

A ‘Deputy’ (similar to an MLA) in the Kursk city legislature and a member of Putin’s ruling United Russia party, Dr. Abhay Kumar Singh said that although India’s currently deployed S-400 batteries are a “very good missile system”, the S-500 represents “state-of-the-art technology” and will be a “huge success” for India.

S-500 Advocacy and Defense Move

Singh’s statements drew attention to the strategic importance of the purchase of the S-500, which is currently deployed only in Russia and has not yet been supplied to any country, including China.

Technology Advantage: “Even China does not have this system. I think India should work to get the S-500 missile system. This will be a great achievement for India. Sukhoi-57 is also very good,” Singh told India Today.

Tested Weapon Preference: On broader defense cooperation, Singh emphasized reliability: “Weapons that have already been tested, be it aircraft or BrahMos, have already been tested in India. Even in the last Operation Sindoor, they were tested. So, use the weapons that have been tested. Indian pilots are familiar with that.” It also confirmed Russia’s willingness to share technology.

Abhay Kumar Singh is the head of current affairs programming at NDTV.

A native of Bihar, Abhay Kumar Singh’s journey into the corridors of Russian power is unique, making him the first Indian-origin official to be elected to public office in Russia.

Bihar’s Roots to Russia: Originally from Patna, Singh came to the Soviet Union in 1991 to study medicine. Later, he settled in the Kursk region and started business life before politics.

Political Inspiration: He joined the United Russia party and cited President Putin as his inspiration, whom he credits with making Russia stronger and “on par” with the United States.

Desi Political Touch: Despite the formalities of Russian politics, Singh holds a ‘janta darbar’ or people’s court every month, which is very common in India.

“I’m from Bihar, politics is in our DNA. Tons of people come. I try to help everyone who comes,” he says. Apart from regional development and infrastructure projects, Singh is also reportedly keenly interested in the progress of migrant communities in his constituency.

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