Aim To Elevate Cooperation With India: Putin

Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow aims to “raise cooperation” with India and China “to a qualitatively new level”.

Putin’s remarks came ahead of his visit to 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 aim of numerous joint projects in energy, industry, space, agriculture and other sectors was to improve ties with Beijing and New Delhi.

“We aim to raise 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 goal of numerous joint projects in energy, industry, space, agriculture and other sectors.” he said.

Putin also said that he has had extensive dialogue with Chinese President Xi Jinping on economic issues and plans to continue the same dialogue with Prime Minister Modi during his visit.

“We have had a comprehensive dialogue on economic issues with the President of the People’s Republic of China, Mr. Xi Jinping. During our visit to India, we will discuss these issues in detail with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, including increasing the import of Indian goods into our market,” he said.

During his visit to India, Putin will attend the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit and hold talks with Prime Minister Modi.

Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov had previously said that the sale of additional S-400 long-range anti-aircraft missiles may be on the agenda during the visit. “It is very on the agenda and this can be discussed. Our military industry is working quite well. Russian weapons constitute 36 percent of the Indian armed forces and I hope it will continue,” Peskov said.

Russia also hopes to discuss the possibility of purchasing India’s fifth-generation stealth fighter, the Su-57. Peskov said, “SU-57 is the best aircraft in the world. SU57 will be on the agenda.”

“As for our cooperation in the defense industry, let’s remember the famous Brahmos missiles. This is not just production or just buying and selling, but high-tech exchange, and this cooperation paves the way for a truly bright future in this field. We are developing very diverse, very complex systems. And of course we have capabilities in this sense. We are ready to share this and our experience with our Indian friends.”

Kremlin Spokesperson Peskov also said that there was a possibility of an agreement between India and Russia on nuclear energy during the President’s visit. “The small reactor offer will come. Russia has small and flexible reactors with important technology. Russia has real experience in producing small reactors. We make mutual investments, joint investments, and this makes such cooperation even more valuable for our countries in terms of securing the future of the country. We have played a profound role in creating a peaceful nuclear energy sector in India.” “We were hoping for Kudankulam and therefore the continuation of this project,” Peskov said.