Russia is hoping to complete free trade agreement between the Eurasian region and India in the year 2020, Russian Ambassador to India said on Monday.

Envoy Nikolai Kudashev also said that the leaders of both countries, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin, are also expected to meet several times during the year.

"We are hopeful of completing the free trade agreement between the Eurasian region and India in the year 2020. We will also make progress in defence cooperation with greater possibilities of joint cooperation and localisation."

"India and Russia are starting a new level of energy security partnership with lucrative opportunity for Indian companies in the Russian arctic. Hoping for early conclusion of Eurasian-India next year," Kudashev also said.

Russia and India have been taking steps to improve their bilateral relations.&nbsp;

In September this year, PM Modi met President Putin in Russia's far eastern city of Vladivostok during the 20th India Russia annual summit.

During that summit, key announcements were made on energy and a proposal has been made to have a full-fledged maritime route that serves as a link between Chennai and Vladivostok.

Describing Russia as a friend and a nation that has supported India, the Prime Minister had&nbsp;said that Russia has personally given importance to bolstering its strategic partnership with India.

Both sides agreed on a five-year road map in the energy sector with focus on Indian investment in Russian oil fields and transportation of energy to India and Russian investment in the downstream energy sector in India.&nbsp;

In November as well, both leaders had held bilateral talks on the sidelines of the BRICS summit.

(With inputs from agencies)

Russia is hoping to complete free trade agreement between the Eurasian region and India in the year 2020, Russian Ambassador to India said on Monday. Envoy Nikolai Kudashev also said that the leaders of both countries, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin, are also expected to meet several times during the year.

Russia is hoping to complete free trade agreement between the Eurasian region and India in the year 2020, Russian Ambassador to India said on Monday. Envoy Nikolai Kudashev also said that the leaders of both countries, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin, are also expected to meet several times during the year. "We are hopeful of completing the free trade agreement between the Eurasian region and India in the year 2020. We will also make progress in defence cooperation with greater possibilities of joint cooperation and localisation." "India and Russia are starting a new level of energy security partnership with lucrative opportunity for Indian companies in the Russian arctic. Hoping for early conclusion of Eurasian-India next year," Kudashev also said. Russia and India have been taking steps to improve their bilateral relations. In September this year, PM Modi met President Putin in Russia's far eastern city of Vladivostok during the 20th India Russia annual summit. During that summit, key announcements were made on energy and a proposal has been made to have a full-fledged maritime route that serves as a link between Chennai and Vladivostok. Describing Russia as a friend and a nation that has supported India, the Prime Minister had said that Russia has personally given importance to bolstering its strategic partnership with India. Both sides agreed on a five-year road map in the energy sector with focus on Indian investment in Russian oil fields and transportation of energy to India and Russian investment in the downstream energy sector in India. In November as well, both leaders had held bilateral talks on the sidelines of the BRICS summit. (With inputs from agencies)

'We hope to complete free trade agreement between Eurasia, India in 2020', says Russia envoy

It's Time To Take Indo-Russian Relationship To The Next Level Bilateral ties between India and Russia have been skewed towards defence and energy since the end of cold war. But PM Modi has injected fresh impetus to the relationship with Russia. It's fair to say that this is a new phase in Indo-Russian ties. On #WionEdit, Palki explains the need to take Indo-Russian ties to the next level.

WION Edit: PM Modi injects impetus to Indo-Russia ties

Russia will start delivering the first of India's five S-400 missile regiments from 2020 with complete deliveries in the next three years by 2023 and will provide security to vulnerable areas and points from aerial threats, says Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre."A contract was signed on October 5, 2018, for delivery of S-400 system from Russia.

The deliveries will commence from October 2020 and will be completed by April 2023," adds the Minister.

"The system will provide very capable air defence coverage to vulnerable areas (Vas) and vulnerable points (VPs)," Minister Bhamre informed the Lok Sabha on Wednesday in a written reply.

India and Russia had signed a deal worth around Rs 40,000 crore for acquiring five regiments of the S-400 air defence missile systems from Russian Almaz Antey.

The Russian missile system can track and destroy multiple targets at a distance between 100 to 380 km. India would be the second user of the missile system in Asia after China.

However, the Chinese system is believed to be less capable than the Indian system as Russia has not provided the longest-range missile system to China with 380 km strike range.

The Indian system has four tiers of strike range with the lowest being around 100 km.&nbsp;

India and Russia had signed a deal worth around Rs 40,000 crore for acquiring five regiments of the S-400 air defence missile systems from Russian Almaz Antey.

Russia will start delivering the first of India's five S-400 missile regiments from 2020 with complete deliveries in the next three years by 2023 and will provide security to vulnerable areas and points from aerial threats, says Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre."A contract was signed on October 5, 2018, for delivery of S-400 system from Russia. The deliveries will commence from October 2020 and will be completed by April 2023," adds the Minister. "The system will provide very capable air defence coverage to vulnerable areas (Vas) and vulnerable points (VPs)," Minister Bhamre informed the Lok Sabha on Wednesday in a written reply. India and Russia had signed a deal worth around Rs 40,000 crore for acquiring five regiments of the S-400 air defence missile systems from Russian Almaz Antey. The Russian missile system can track and destroy multiple targets at a distance between 100 to 380 km. India would be the second user of the missile system in Asia after China. However, the Chinese system is believed to be less capable than the Indian system as Russia has not provided the longest-range missile system to China with 380 km strike range. The Indian system has four tiers of strike range with the lowest being around 100 km.

Russia to supply all five S-400 missile regiments by 2023

A joint military exercise involving, the Russian and Indian air force members concluded in India's northwestern desert city of Jodhpur on Wednesday (December 19).

The air exercise 'Aviaindra 2018' was aimed at giving exposure to the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Russian Federation Aerospace Force (RFASF) to enhance their skills to focus on anti-militants operation in a bilateral scenario.

Reportedly, 30 fighter aircrafts were used during the exercise involving flying operations where pilots shared their experiences with each other. Russian aircrafts, Su-30 MKI and Mi-8 were among the key aircrafts at the joint training.

This is the second edition of the biannual exercise with the first being held in Lipetsk, Russia in September.

A joint military exercise involving, the Russian and Indian air force members concluded in India's northwestern desert city of Jodhpur on Wednesday (December 19).

A joint military exercise involving, the Russian and Indian air force members concluded in India's northwestern desert city of Jodhpur on Wednesday (December 19). The air exercise 'Aviaindra 2018' was aimed at giving exposure to the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Russian Federation Aerospace Force (RFASF) to enhance their skills to focus on anti-militants operation in a bilateral scenario. Reportedly, 30 fighter aircrafts were used during the exercise involving flying operations where pilots shared their experiences with each other. Russian aircrafts, Su-30 MKI and Mi-8 were among the key aircrafts at the joint training. This is the second edition of the biannual exercise with the first being held in Lipetsk, Russia in September.

Watch: Russia-India joint military exercise concludes in Rajasthan

Earlier this month, north-eastern Asia and northern Pacific Ocean drew global attention as Russian forces geared up for their biggest war games – Vostok 18 - since the end of the Cold War. This exercise took place from September 11 to September 17 at five ground testing areas and four aerial testing areas over the Sea of Japan and the Bering and Okhotsk seas.

Russia claimed that up to 300,000 troops (a third of the country’s armed forces), 1000 aircraft, 36,000 tanks and armoured vehicles were involved even as 3200 Chinese troops, 900 tanks and armoured vehicles, as well as troops from Mongolia, joined them in this endeavour. This raised the stakes even higher for the rest of the world.

This exercise was not merely a show of strength to the West but it also symbolised Russia’s growing rapprochement with China. These two countries which were once adversaries are now emerging as close partners. Border disputes between the two ended in 2004. As dissatisfaction with American policy has grown in Moscow and Beijing, a closer partnership is now looking enticing. The Trump Administration has declared these two nations as ‘strategic competitors.

Russia’s decision to sell latest the military technology (like S-400 surface to air missiles and SU-35 fighter jets) to China and an invitation to participate in its largest military drill underlines that it no longer sees China as a threat. For a long time, China’s expansionist motive particularly in the Siberian region was perceived as a threat by Russian leaders but this seems to have been relegated to the background. This is also a message to the West that if it continues to target Russia, then its engagement with China is only going to increase.&nbsp;

The timing of these exercises coincided with the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok which saw participation not only from the Chinese President Xi Jinping but also from a few of the closest partners of the US such as Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and South Korean Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon.&nbsp;

Another interesting aspect of this exercise was that it was not a Sino-Russian joint military exercise. It was China that joined Russia in its largest military endeavour since the end of the Cold War though differences still exist between the two. China is still reluctant to increase investment in Russia and China also prefers the West when it comes to making investments or getting good education for Chinese youth. So this tactical shift in its behaviour can reverse itself very easily. For China, there is much to learn from Russia’s operational experience in war fighting. Though China’s military modernisation is leaving Russia far behind, its real time operational experience is rather limited. Russia’s experience in the Syrian conflict where it has sharpened its informational warfare and combined armed warfare techniques is something that Chinese military generals are eyeing with great interest.

The exercises highlight the growing divide between Russia and China on the one hand, and the US on the other. India has important stakes with all the&nbsp;three powers involved. India’s relationship with the US has improved dramatically in recent decades. Though India is trying to diversify its defence requirements yet it remains dependent on Russia for its needs. The recent sanctions via CAATSA (Countering American Adversaries through Sanctions Act) by the US has the potential to further deteriorate its relations with Russia. Russia is very important for India in terms of nuclear security, cyber security, its intelligence needs as well as for securing crucial defence equipment such as S-400 anti-aircraft weapon systems.&nbsp;

China, meanwhile, has emerged as one of the biggest foreign policy challenges for India in recent times. Sino-Indian differences straddle various domains from growing trade deficit to border and water disputes. Pakistan continues to be a challenge to Sino-Indian relations. Though the Wuhan summit has tried to bridge the gap between the two countries, structural challenges continue to shape the divergent trajectory in Sino-Indian relations.&nbsp;

The fact that Sino-Russian relationship has grown to this extent where the two are now participating in joint military exercises underscores the rapidly evolving nature of this relationship and a fluid global strategic environment. Both are now more unified than ever in posing a challenge to the US-led global order. For India, this poses a real challenge. New Delhi has long maintained that it needs a close relationship with Moscow so that the Beijing-Moscow relationship could be dented. But India’s Russia outreach seems to have had a rather insignificant impact so far on the Russia-China dynamic.

Russia is also reaching out to Pakistan despite Indian reservations and is changing its tune on the Afghanistan issue. It is now a strong votary of negotiating with the Taliban and has given short shrift to Indian reservations in this regard. Russia has been at the forefront of advising India not to challenge China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Given the challenge China poses to India on multiple fronts, this growing Sino-Russian collusion should ideally be at the top of the agenda when the Russian President visits India next month.

Global politics is evolving rapidly and great-power politics is back with a vengeance. History did not end in 1991 as Francis Fukuyama would have liked us to believe. Instead, it seems to have been a lull in a never-ending contest between major powers.&nbsp; 
 
(The article is co-authored by Pallav Agarwal who is a Research Intern at Observer Research Foundation, New Delhi.)

(This article was first published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-how-russia-china-ties-affect-india-2667372">original article</a>.)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Earlier this month, north-eastern Asia and northern Pacific Ocean drew global attention as Russian forces geared up for their biggest war games – Vostok 18 - since the end of the Cold War.

Earlier this month, north-eastern Asia and northern Pacific Ocean drew global attention as Russian forces geared up for their biggest war games – Vostok 18 - since the end of the Cold War. This exercise took place from September 11 to September 17 at five ground testing areas and four aerial testing areas over the Sea of Japan and the Bering and Okhotsk seas. Russia claimed that up to 300,000 troops (a third of the country’s armed forces), 1000 aircraft, 36,000 tanks and armoured vehicles were involved even as 3200 Chinese troops, 900 tanks and armoured vehicles, as well as troops from Mongolia, joined them in this endeavour. This raised the stakes even higher for the rest of the world. This exercise was not merely a show of strength to the West but it also symbolised Russia’s growing rapprochement with China. These two countries which were once adversaries are now emerging as close partners. Border disputes between the two ended in 2004. As dissatisfaction with American policy has grown in Moscow and Beijing, a closer partnership is now looking enticing. The Trump Administration has declared these two nations as ‘strategic competitors. Russia’s decision to sell latest the military technology (like S-400 surface to air missiles and SU-35 fighter jets) to China and an invitation to participate in its largest military drill underlines that it no longer sees China as a threat. For a long time, China’s expansionist motive particularly in the Siberian region was perceived as a threat by Russian leaders but this seems to have been relegated to the background. This is also a message to the West that if it continues to target Russia, then its engagement with China is only going to increase. The timing of these exercises coincided with the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok which saw participation not only from the Chinese President Xi Jinping but also from a few of the closest partners of the US such as Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and South Korean Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon. Another interesting aspect of this exercise was that it was not a Sino-Russian joint military exercise. It was China that joined Russia in its largest military endeavour since the end of the Cold War though differences still exist between the two. China is still reluctant to increase investment in Russia and China also prefers the West when it comes to making investments or getting good education for Chinese youth. So this tactical shift in its behaviour can reverse itself very easily. For China, there is much to learn from Russia’s operational experience in war fighting. Though China’s military modernisation is leaving Russia far behind, its real time operational experience is rather limited. Russia’s experience in the Syrian conflict where it has sharpened its informational warfare and combined armed warfare techniques is something that Chinese military generals are eyeing with great interest. The exercises highlight the growing divide between Russia and China on the one hand, and the US on the other. India has important stakes with all the three powers involved. India’s relationship with the US has improved dramatically in recent decades. Though India is trying to diversify its defence requirements yet it remains dependent on Russia for its needs. The recent sanctions via CAATSA (Countering American Adversaries through Sanctions Act) by the US has the potential to further deteriorate its relations with Russia. Russia is very important for India in terms of nuclear security, cyber security, its intelligence needs as well as for securing crucial defence equipment such as S-400 anti-aircraft weapon systems. China, meanwhile, has emerged as one of the biggest foreign policy challenges for India in recent times. Sino-Indian differences straddle various domains from growing trade deficit to border and water disputes. Pakistan continues to be a challenge to Sino-Indian relations. Though the Wuhan summit has tried to bridge the gap between the two countries, structural challenges continue to shape the divergent trajectory in Sino-Indian relations. The fact that Sino-Russian relationship has grown to this extent where the two are now participating in joint military exercises underscores the rapidly evolving nature of this relationship and a fluid global strategic environment. Both are now more unified than ever in posing a challenge to the US-led global order. For India, this poses a real challenge. New Delhi has long maintained that it needs a close relationship with Moscow so that the Beijing-Moscow relationship could be dented. But India’s Russia outreach seems to have had a rather insignificant impact so far on the Russia-China dynamic. Russia is also reaching out to Pakistan despite Indian reservations and is changing its tune on the Afghanistan issue. It is now a strong votary of negotiating with the Taliban and has given short shrift to Indian reservations in this regard. Russia has been at the forefront of advising India not to challenge China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Given the challenge China poses to India on multiple fronts, this growing Sino-Russian collusion should ideally be at the top of the agenda when the Russian President visits India next month. Global politics is evolving rapidly and great-power politics is back with a vengeance. History did not end in 1991 as Francis Fukuyama would have liked us to believe. Instead, it seems to have been a lull in a never-ending contest between major powers. (The article is co-authored by Pallav Agarwal who is a Research Intern at Observer Research Foundation, New Delhi.) (This article was first published on The DNA. Read the original article.) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: How Russia-China ties affect India

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'We hope to complete free trade agreement between Eurasia, India in 2020', says Russia envoy

WION Edit: PM Modi injects impetus to Indo-Russia ties

Russia to supply all five S-400 missile regiments by 2023

Watch: Russia-India joint military exercise concludes in Rajasthan

Opinion: How Russia-China ties affect India