In Pics | Modi-Putin summit: India, Russia hail strategic partnership

Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla&nbsp;said that supplies of the Russian S-400 missile defence system "will continue to happen". Shringla was addressing press after Russian President Vladimir Putin visited New Delhi on Monday (December 6).&nbsp;

Russia has begun deliveries of its long-range S-400 ground-to-air missile defence system to India, which prompted fears of US sanctions. However, the diplomat said, "Supplies have begun this month and will continue to happen."

During the 21st annual India-Russia summit hosted in New Delhi, both the nations signed a record 28 MoUs and agreements across a wide range of sectors including trade, energy, culture, intellectual property accountancy and education.&nbsp;

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In a special briefing after the summit meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Putin, the foreign secretary said there was an "excellent discussion" between the two leaders. He also termed Putin's visit to New Delhi as short but "highly productive".&nbsp;

The agreements included that for a programme of cooperation in the field of defence for the next 10 years from 2021 to 2031.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"There were excellent discussions between the two leaders. This is President Putin second visit out of Russia since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The only visit he has undertaken was the brief visit to Geneva for the Russia-US summit," he said.&nbsp;

"The fact that the Russian president has decided to visit India for the annual summit exceptionally is an indication of the importance he attaches to the bilateral relationship and also his personal rapport," he added.&nbsp;

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Speaking about a&nbsp;"record number 28 MoUs or agreements were concluded during the visit," Shringla said the "agreements were government-to-government and business-to-business, including those involving public sector units".&nbsp;

"The diversity of agreements and MoUs signed today shows the multifaceted nature of our bilateral partnership," he said.&nbsp;

He also said that the&nbsp;fact that President Putin decided to visit India for the annual summit is an indication of the importance he attaches to the bilateral relationship and his personal rapport with PM Modi.&nbsp;

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Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said that supplies of the Russian S-400 missile defence system "will continue to happen". Shringla was addressing press after Russian President Vladimir Putin visited New Delhi on Monday (December 6).

Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said that supplies of the Russian S-400 missile defence system "will continue to happen". Shringla was addressing press after Russian President Vladimir Putin visited New Delhi on Monday (December 6). Russia has begun deliveries of its long-range S-400 ground-to-air missile defence system to India, which prompted fears of US sanctions. However, the diplomat said, "Supplies have begun this month and will continue to happen." During the 21st annual India-Russia summit hosted in New Delhi, both the nations signed a record 28 MoUs and agreements across a wide range of sectors including trade, energy, culture, intellectual property accountancy and education. ALSO READ | Gift from Gujarat: PM Narendra Modi gives exquisite Agate Bowls to Russian President Vladimir Putin In a special briefing after the summit meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Putin, the foreign secretary said there was an "excellent discussion" between the two leaders. He also termed Putin's visit to New Delhi as short but "highly productive". The agreements included that for a programme of cooperation in the field of defence for the next 10 years from 2021 to 2031. "There were excellent discussions between the two leaders. This is President Putin second visit out of Russia since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The only visit he has undertaken was the brief visit to Geneva for the Russia-US summit," he said. "The fact that the Russian president has decided to visit India for the annual summit exceptionally is an indication of the importance he attaches to the bilateral relationship and also his personal rapport," he added. ALSO READ | We perceive India as a great power and trusted friend, says President Putin to PM Modi Speaking about a "record number 28 MoUs or agreements were concluded during the visit," Shringla said the "agreements were government-to-government and business-to-business, including those involving public sector units". "The diversity of agreements and MoUs signed today shows the multifaceted nature of our bilateral partnership," he said. He also said that the fact that President Putin decided to visit India for the annual summit is an indication of the importance he attaches to the bilateral relationship and his personal rapport with PM Modi. ×

Deliveries of Russian S-400 missile system have begun, will continue to happen: India

India's Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla termed Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to New Delhi as short but "highly productive" after the Russian leader met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (December 6).

India's Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla termed Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to New Delhi as short but "highly productive" after the Russian leader met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (December 6). PM Modi hosted the Russian President at Hyderabad House in the Indian capital Delhi for the 21st annual India-Russia Summit, which is the first in-person meeting between them since they met on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in 2019 in Brasilia. ALSO READ | Gift from Gujarat: PM Narendra Modi gives exquisite Agate Bowls to Russian President Vladimir Putin The substantive visit has been crucial for both the nations as 28 agreements were concluded between India and Russia and the leaders discussed a range of issues such as defence, military cooperation, trade, investment, environment, cross-border terrorism, etc. During the post-summit press conference, the foreign secretary said that the fact that President Putin decided to visit India for the annual summit is an indication of the importance he attaches to the bilateral relationship and his personal rapport with PM Modi. Harsh Vardhan Shringla listed the key issues that have been discussed during the summit: COVID-19 vaccine certification As PM Modi mentioned that the strategic partnership between the two nations is not impacted by the challenges posed by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. During the summit, both leaders discussed the need for mutual recognition of vaccine certification to enable easier travel between India and Russia. ALSO READ | We perceive India as a great power and trusted friend, says President Putin to PM Modi Fighting cross-border terrorism Shringla mentioned that both sides stressed the need to fight cross-border terrorism. A wide range of talks took place and Lashkar-e-Taiba was discussed specifically. Trade and investment Shringla said that on trade and investment, some specific plans have been discussed, including long-term corporation in the areas of inland waterways, fertilizers, coking coals, steel, skilled manpower. Coking coals emerged as an important area of the corporation. IN PICS | Modi-Putin summit: India, Russia hail strategic partnership S 400 deal and CAATSA sanctions Russia has begun deliveries of its long-range S-400 ground-to-air missile defence system — which has prompted threats of US sanctions. "Supplies have begun this month and will continue to happen," Shringla said, adding that with regard to the CAATSA issue didn't come up during the talks. An agreement was reached on the programme of the military-technical cooperation from 2021-2031. This 10-year defence cooperation programme outlines the ongoing defence cooperation and future possible cooperation between the two countries such as agreements which have been signed since 1994. Afghanistan issue While raising the issue of terrorism, Putin said, "We're concerned about everything that has to do with terrorism. Fight against terrorism is also a fight against drug trafficking and organised crime." Speaking in the same context, Putin said that Russia is concerned about the developments of the situation in Afghanistan. Shringla mentioned that the issue of the legitimacy of the Taliban government was not discussed. Cultural cooperation Shringla said that both nations are looking forward to intensifying cultural cooperation. He said, "There're apparently 15 million Buddhists in Russia. This community is keen on looking at India for pilgrimage and other areas of interest. So the cultural cooperation is also important for both countries." Education During the summit, an agreement was reached for academic collaboration between the University of Delhi and Skoltech University, Moscow to promote capacity building and expertise in scientific areas and is aimed at developing programs and exchanges for national technological development. Space research An agreement has been reached between both nations on technology protection due to cooperation in the field of research and use of outer space for peaceful purposes and the building and operation of launch vehicles and ground-based space infrastructure. Banking and cyber attacks A cooperation agreement has been reached between the Reserve Bank of India and the Bank of Russia in the field of responding to cyber attacks. ×

Key takeaways of Modi-Putin summit: Anti-terror fight, COVID-19, S-400 deal