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21st India – Russia Annual Summit

President of the Russian Federation, H.E. Mr. Vladimir Putin, paid a working visit to New Delhi on 06 December 2021 for the 21st India – Russia Annual summit with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. 2. President Putin was accompanied by a high level delegation. Bilateral talks between Prime Minister Modi and President Putin were held in a warm and friendly atmosphere. The two leaders expressed satisfaction at the sustained progress in the ‘Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership’ between both countries despite the challenges posed by the Covid pandemic. They welcomed the holding of the first meeting of the 2+2 Dialogue of Foreign and Defence Ministers and the meeting of the Inter-Governmental Commission on Military & Military-Technical Cooperation in New Delhi on 6 December 2021. 3. The leaders underscored the need for greater economic cooperation and in this context, emphasized on new drivers of growth for long term predictable and sustained economic cooperation. They appreciated the success story of mutual investments and looked forward to greater investments in each others’ countries. The role of connectivity through the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and the proposed Chennai - Vladivostok Eastern Maritime Corridor figured in the discussions. The two leaders looked forward to greater inter-regional cooperation between various regions of Russia, in particular with the Russian Far-East, with the States of India. They appreciated the ongoing bilateral cooperation in the fight against the Covid pandemic, including humanitarian assistance extended by both countries to each other in critical times of need. 4. The leaders discussed regional and global developments, including the post-pandemic global economic recovery, and the situation in Afghanistan. They agreed that both countries share common perspectives and concerns on Afghanistan and appreciated the bilateral roadmap charted out at the NSA level for consultation and cooperation on Afghanistan. They noted that both sides shared common positions on many international issues and agreed to further strengthen cooperation at multilateral fora, including at the UN Security Council. President Putin congratulated Prime Minister Modi for India’s ongoing non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council and successful Presidency of BRICS in 2021. Prime Minister Modi congratulated Russia for its ongoing chairmanship of the Arctic Council. 5. The Joint Statement titled India-Russia: Partnership for Peace, Progress and Prosperity aptly covers the state and prospects of bilateral ties. Coinciding with the visit, several Government-to-Government Agreements and MoUs, as well as those between commercial and other organizations of both countries, were signed in different sectors such as trade, energy, science & technology, intellectual property, outer space, geological exploration, cultural exchange, education, etc. This is a reflection of the multifaceted nature of our bilateral partnership. 6. President Putin extended an invitation to Prime Minister Modi to visit Russia for the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit in 2022.

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Vladimir Putin to visit Delhi on Dec 6 for 21st India-Russia Annual Summit

Russian president vladimir putin will visit india for summit talks with prime minister narendra modi on december 6, the ministry of external affairs (mea) announced on friday..

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Russian President Vladimir Putin will pay an official visit to New Delhi on December 6 for the 21st India-Russia Annual Summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This will be the first face-to-face meeting between the two leaders after their meeting on the side-lines of the BRICS Summit in Brasilia in November, 2019.

The last India-Russia Annual Summit was held in September 2019 during the visit of Pm Modi to Vladivostok (Russia). The Annual Summit was postponed in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

During the Summit in December, the leaders will review the state and prospects of bilateral relations and discuss ways to further strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries. The Summit will also afford an opportunity to exchange views on regional, multilateral and international issues of mutual interest.

The leaders will also exchange views on topical issues on the international agenda, including joint work within the G20, BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

ALSO READ: Ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit, defence ministry clears AK-203 deal

Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Defence Minister Sergey Shoigu will visit India to hold the inaugural '2+2' ministerial dialogue between the two countries on December 6, the Russian embassy has said.

Lavrov and Shoigu will hold the talks with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

"On December 6, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov together with Defence Minister Sergey Shoigu will hold talks in New Delhi with their Indian counterparts S Jaishankar and Rajnath Singh," a spokesperson of the embassy said.

The spokesperson added that it is expected that the ministers will have in-depth discussions of the key regional and international issues including the situation in the Asia-Pacific region and developments in Afghanistan and Syria.

(With inputs from PTI)

ALSO READ: PM Modi likely to join Biden's Summit for Democracy; Taiwan invited, China and Russia off list Published By: Anuja Jha Published On: Nov 26, 2021 --- ENDS ---

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India and Russia Expand Defense Ties, Despite Prospect of U.S. Sanctions

India’s purchase of a missile defense system signaled that it was more worried about an emboldened China at its borders than about angering the United States.

By Mujib Mashal and Karan Deep Singh

NEW DELHI — India and Russia announced expanding defense ties on Monday during a visit by President Vladimir Putin to New Delhi, including the details of a $5.4 billion missile defense system sale to India, despite a risk of sanctions from the United States.

“Supplies have begun this month and will continue to happen,” India’s foreign secretary, Harsh Vardhan Shringla, told reporters about the missile defense system after the meeting between Mr. Putin and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “It is important to note that whether it is us or Russia, we conduct an independent foreign policy.”

The confirmation that the missile defense system deal, first agreed upon in 2018, was going ahead despite threats that it could affect India’s growing relations with the United States signaled that New Delhi was willing to take calculated risks to bolster its defenses against an emboldened China at its borders.

India and China have failed to resolve tensions since deadly skirmishes between the two countries’ troops along their shared border last year, and their militaries remain on a war footing in the Himalayas going into a second harsh winter. India may have concluded that the United States would not penalize it for buying the defense system because the two countries have been working together closely to address the rising threat from China.

Following Monday’s announcement, the reaction from the Biden administration wasn’t immediately clear.

In 2020, the Trump administration issued sanctions against Turkey for a similar purchase, more than three years after it bought the missile defense system from Russia .

India has deep ties to Moscow, and India’s military has for decades largely depended on Russian equipment. Even as the country has diversified its weapons imports and grown closer to the United States in trade and defense cooperation, India still relies on Russia for about half of its arms supplies.

The two countries have also set an ambitious goal of more than tripling bilateral trade to $30bn by 2025.

“In the last few decades, several fundamentals have changed,” Mr. Modi said in welcoming Mr. Putin. “New geopolitical angles have emerged. Amidst all such variables, Indo-Russian friendship has been constant.”

The S-400 surface-to-air missile defense system is one of the world’s most sophisticated, with the ability to reach multiple targets at a maximum distance of about 250 miles. It is also a more affordable option from India’s perspective, costing reportedly half of that of the U.S. Patriot system. Indian military officials have called it “a booster dose” to the country’s military, which has struggled to modernize because of financial strains.

“S-400 deal doesn’t have only a symbolic meaning,” Russia’s foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, told the Indian news agency ANI on Monday. “It has a very important practical meaning for an Indian defense capability.”

In addition to the S-400 missile defense system, India and Russia signed a $600 million deal to locally manufacture hundreds of thousands of Russian AK-203 rifles and an additional agreement to extend cooperation between the countries on military technology for the next decade.

The rifles, which are expected to replace the older Kalashnikov-style rifles used by Indian troops, will be manufactured in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh through a joint venture, according to local media reports .

Nandan Unnikrishnan, an expert on India’s relations with Russia at the New Delhi-based Observer Research Foundation, said Russia provides India an affordable and flexible partner on arms.

“India doesn’t have the kind of kitty China has with all our developmental challenges,” said Mr. Unnikrishnan. “While American or Israeli equipment is state of the art, the money it requires is three times more.”

Mr. Unnikrishnan said heavy repercussions for India were unlikely because the United States needs an India that is militarily strong to balance China’s rise in the region.

“As much as India is taking a risk I genuinely believe the U.S. will also be taking a risk if it takes the path of sanctions,” he said. “The U.S. is sophisticated enough to understand that they should not be harming their own potential allies in a bigger picture struggle they have.”

The fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban in August has worried both India and Russia on the shared threat emanating from regional terror groups. The statement released after Mr. Putin’s meeting with Mr. Modi stressed the need for an inclusive government in Afghanistan to ensure the country’s stability and prevent it from once again becoming a terror or narcotics hub.

“The leaders emphasized that Afghanistan’s territory should not be used for sheltering, training, planning or financing any terrorist groups,” the statement said.

Mr. Putin’s trip to India comes as a buildup of Russian troops near Ukraine has Western officials warning that the Kremlin could be planning a large-scale invasion. They have said that Russia could face damaging sanctions from the United States and Europe if Mr. Putin goes through with an attack.

But his visit to India — his first foreign trip since his June summit with President Biden in Geneva — also telegraphed that Russia still has plenty of friends beyond the West.

Anton Troianovski contributed reporting from Moscow.

An earlier version of this article misspelled the name of India’s foreign secretary. He is Harsh Vardhan Shringla, not Vardhar.

How we handle corrections

Mujib Mashal is The New York Times Bureau Chief for South Asia. Born in Kabul, he wrote for magazines such as The Atlantic, Harper’s, Time and others before joining The Times. More about Mujib Mashal

Karan Deep Singh is a reporter and visual journalist based in New Delhi, India. He previously worked for The Wall Street Journal, where he was part of a team that was named a finalist for the 2020 Pulitzer Prize in Investigative Reporting and nominated for a national Emmy Award. More about Karan Deep Singh

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Putin meets PM Modi: ‘India great power, friendly nation, time-tested friend’

Echoing similar emotions, pm modi said, "despite the challenges posed by covid-19, there is no change in the pace of growth of india-russia relations. our special and privileged strategic partnership continues to become stronger.".

Expressing “concern” about the situation in Afghanistan, visiting Russia President Vladimir Putin on Monday flagged “fight against terrorism, drug trafficking and organised crime” as key challenges on which both countries will have to cooperate.

“We continue to cooperate jointly on global agenda… our positions are quite similar…in the fight against terrorism , also fighting drug trafficking and organized crime,” Putin said, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi listening before their bilateral meeting began.

“It is natural we’re concerned about the development of the situation in Afghanistan,” the Russian President said, in his opening remarks.

He called India as a “great power”, a “friendly” country and a “time-tested friend”.

Modi said, “Despite the challenges posed by Covid, there is no change in the pace of growth of India-Russia relations. Our special & privileged strategic partnership continues to become stronger.”

“In the last few decades, the world witnessed many fundamental changes and different kinds of geopolitical equations emerged but the friendship of India and Russia remained constant,” the Prime Minister said, adding that the relation between India and Russia is “truly a unique and reliable model of inter-State friendship”.

Putin, who arrived in New Delhi on Monday evening, met Modi at Hyderabad House, hours after the first ever India-Russia 2+2 ministerial meeting took place between Foreign and Defence ministers.

Till now India has had a 2+2 format of meetings with the US, Japan and Australia—all members of the Quad grouping.

India signed four agreements with Russia as the two countries began their first ever 2+2 ministerial dialogue on Monday morning. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met his Russian counterpart Sergey Shoigu and the two sides signed two contracts for manufacture of nearly 6 lakh AK 203 rifles under a joint venture in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh , which was cleared by the government, finally, just days ago. The deal is worth over Rs 5000 crore.

Singh also brought up the issue of China’s aggressive posture along the norther border, during the 2+2 meet. He said that “the pandemic, the extra-ordinary militarisation and expansion of armament in our neighbourhood and the completely unprovoked aggression on our northern border since early summer of 2020 have thrown in several challenges” and added the India is “confident of overcoming these challenges with its strong political will and inherent capability of its people”.

Apart from the agreement for the Kalashnikov rifles, the two countries also signed an agreement for military technology cooperation for the next decade, from 2021 to 2031, and the Protocol of the 20th India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military & Military Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-M&MTC).

The 2+2 was preceded by the IRIGC-M&MTC meeting, in which Singh led the Indian delegation, which also included Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat , the three service chiefs and other senior officials of the Defence Ministry.

Singh said in his opening remarks at the meeting that Russia is India’s long-standing special and privileged strategic partner with time-tested relations based on common interests in multilateralism, global peace and prosperity, mutual understanding and trust.

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He appreciated Russia’s “strong support for India” and asserted that the close cooperation is not targeted against another country. Defence cooperation, he said, was one of the most important pillars of the bilateral partnership. The IRIGC-M&MTC “is a well-established mechanism since last two decades” and provides “a platform to discuss and implement mutually agreed agenda for defence cooperation”.

Singh described the first-ever India-Russia 2+2 ministerial dialogue as a special initiative, taken by the leaders of the two countries, which signals the higher relevance and necessity for cooperation between the two countries.

Separately, External Affairs minister S Jaishankar met Russian Foreign minister Sergey Lavrov. Jaishankar said that they are meeting at a “critical juncture in the global geopolitical environment which is in great flux, especially in the aftermath of the COVID 19 pandemic”.

“As close friends and strategic partners, India and Russia have been working together to safeguard our common interests and to ensure peace, progress and prosperity for our people. Our ties have been close and time tested. In a world that has changed so much, they have been exceptionally steady,” he said.

“Our discussions today will address the emergence of multipolarity and rebalancing we look to the consequences of over centralized globalization. The COVID 19 pandemic has raised questions about the current model of global Affairs, but the long standing challenges remain even as new ones emerge, prominent among them are terrorism violent extremism and radicalization. The situation in Afghanistan has wider repercussions including for Central Asia. In west Asia, the Middle East continues to present hotspots. Maritime security and safety is another domain of shared concern. We both have a common interest in ASEAN centrality and ASEAN driven platforms,” he said.

Lavrov said that both Russia and India have a “similar worldview of more poly-centric, more multipolar, more equitable world order.”

“We advocate similar or identical positions on the most important political and military issues, we speak in favour of international law. By enforcing the collective principle of international affairs, we adhere to the principle of non interference and the domestic affairs of other countries and we have great respect for cultural and civilizational diversity of our world,” the Russian Foreign minister said.

Singh tweeted after the meeting Shoigu that the two leaders had a “productive, fruitful and substantial bilateral discussions on defence cooperation” and added, “India values its special and privileged strategic partnership with Russia”.

He said in a second tweet, “India deeply appreciates Russia’s strong support for India. We hope that our cooperation will bring peace, prosperity and stability to the entire region.”

Singh also stated that he was “glad” that a “number of Agreements/Contracts/Protocols were signed pertaining to small arms and military cooperation”. During the 2+2 Singh also said, “recognising that its development needs are colossal and that its defence challenges are legitimate, real and immediate, India seeks partners who are sensitive and responsive to India’s expectations and requirements”.

He expressed appreciation that “despite all these challenges, India-Russia defence engagements progressed in an unprecedented manner in recent times” and said he was hopeful that Russia will remain a major partner for India in these changing circumstances.

“From Ministry of Defence, we have urged for greater military-technical collaboration, advanced research, co-development and co-production of defence equipment leading to self-reliance of India. Separately, we proposed greater engagements in Central Asia and the Indian Ocean region,” he said.

One of the big-ticket defence deals between the two nations includes India’s purchase of five units of S-400 Triumf air defence system, delivery of which has already begun. The deal worth US$ 5.5 billion was signed in 2018.

Russia has been one of the largest arms exporters to India. Even as Russia’s share in India’s arms imports fell by over 50 per cent in the last five-year period compared to the previous five years (2011 – 2015). In the last 20 years India imported arms and weapons worth US$ 35 billion from Russia, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, which tracks global arms trade.

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India hosts Putin as it balances ties with Russia, US

New Delhi and Moscow sign a host of defence and trade deals as India has drawn closer to the US – an adversary of Russia.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has met Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss defence and trade relations as India attempts to balance its ties with the United States.

The agenda for the annual summit on Monday included political and defence issues, according to India’s Ministry of External Affairs.

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The meeting between Modi and Putin in New Delhi comes hours after the defence and foreign ministers of the two countries held a strategic dialogue to discuss reinforcing ties between India and Russia.

The two countries also signed a slew of bilateral defence agreements, including India’s procurement of more than 600,000 assault rifles from Russia.

India’s Ministry of Defence called it a “landmark” deal that would replace a locally made rifle with a modern weapon, ending the “long quest” for its army’s needs.

India’s Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said India and Russia signed 28 investment pacts on Monday, including deals on steel, shipbuilding, coal and energy.

India starts to receive S-400

India has also begun to receive S-400 missiles from Russia this month, Shringla said, adding that supplies would continue.

Speaking during the meeting, Modi said the agreements reached would be “beneficial across various sectors”.

“Under the ‘Make in India’ programme, our co-development and co-production projects are making our defence cooperation stronger. Our cooperation is also progressing in the space and civil nuclear sectors,” Modi said.

The two countries also signed an agreement to extend their military technology cooperation for the next decade.

Speaking in the capital alongside Modi, Putin said: “Our colleagues, foreign and defence ministers are here; this is the first meeting in this format. It means that we continue to develop our relations on the international scene and in the military sphere.

“We perceive India as a great power, a friendly nation and a time-tested friend,” Putin said.

India and Russia have a long history of close ties and have already set a target of $30bn in bilateral trade by the end of 2025.

Complex regional dynamics

But recently, India has drawn closer to the United States, which it considers critical to countering China.

Putin has to contend with complex regional dynamics, with tensions mounting between New Delhi and Beijing, traditionally an ally of Moscow, following a months-long military standoff along their disputed border in eastern Ladakh. At least 20 Indian soldiers were killed in border clashes with China last year. China said it lost four soldiers.

Nandan Unnikrishnan from the New Delhi-based Observer Research Foundation think-tank told the AFP news agency that Putin’s visit was “hugely symbolic”.

“There has been a lot of speculation about the nature of the India-Russia relationship and whether it is fraying because of Russia’s closeness with China and India’s with the US, but this visit puts all that to rest,” Unnikrishnan said.

But Tatiana Belousova of OP Jindal Global University in Haryana said Russia’s influence in the region is “very limited”.

“Mostly because of its close ties with China and unwillingness to act in dissonance with the Chinese regional interests.”

Russia, meanwhile, has expressed reservations over the formation of the Quad, a grouping involving the US, India, Japan and Australia formed in response to China’s growing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region.

India’s foreign secretary said concern over the Indo-Pacific strategy was raised with Russia.

Putin and Modi also discussed the situation in Afghanistan, voicing their commitment to ensure that the country will never become a safe haven for international “terrorism”.

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How Putin’s Delhi visit has reinvigorated a time-tested partnership between India and Russia

Russian president Vladimir Putin’s short but highly consequential visit and launch of the 2+2 Dialogue have imbued new energy and dynamism into the bilateral partnership

Russian president Vladimir Putin visited India for a few hours on 6 December 2021 for the 21st bilateral Annual Summit. It is noteworthy that Putin undertook this visit although the numbers of COVID-19 cases in Russia continue to surge and the threat of confrontation over the Ukraine border continues to rise. This is testimony to the strategic significance that Putin attaches to the relationship with India. On 17 September 2021, Putin had declined at the last minute to travel to Dushanbe, Tajikistan, for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit because of the high incidence of COVID-19 cases in Russia.

This is only the second visit by Putin outside Russia — the first having been to Geneva in June this year for a bilateral Summit with US president Joe Biden. Through this visit Putin has delivered an unambiguous message that notwithstanding the doubts and speculation about the health of the India-Russia partnership, it continues to be vibrant. In addition, the fact that the visit to India has taken place before Putin went to China, which in recent years has emerged as a consequential partner to Russia, is also an assertion that India-Russia relationship is pivotal.

The timing of the visit is crucial as currently an intense churn in regional and global geopolitics is taking place. The visit has demonstrated that notwithstanding the rapid flux in international affairs, strong India-Russia relations are a constant.

The outcome of the brief visit was also momentous. Twenty-eight agreements were signed between the two sides, both at the government as well as at the private sector level. They clearly demonstrate the extensive gamut of the bilateral engagement. The first 2+2 Dialogue between the defence and foreign ministers of the two countries took place. It provided an opportunity to share views about the current security, political and economic situation in the world.

Please read: How Vladimir Putin’s visit will bring India and Russia closer despite New Delhi’s deepening ties with US

Considerable attention was paid to trade and investment relations. Putin said that trade between the two sides had declined by 17 percent last year but has grown by 38 percent in the first nine months of the year. The two countries have fixed a target of bilateral trade of $30 billion and investment of $50 billion by 2025. While it might be possible to achieve the target of investment which has already reached around $38 billion, it appears difficult to reach the bilateral trade target which is languishing around sub-$10 billion level even now. It was agreed to give a strong impetus to ties in the traditional areas of collaboration including defence, nuclear energy, fossil fuels, counter-terrorism, drug trafficking, space, health and others.

In the area of defence, the most important decision was to commence manufacture of more than 700,000 assault AK-203 rifles with transfer of technology under the ‘Make in India’ programme.

As evidence of the strategic autonomy exercised by India, it has imported and started receiving components of the S-400 Triumf ballistic missile defence system worth more than $5 billion. Construction of the first of the four frigates of P1135.6 class “Tushil’’ has commenced recently. Two of these will be manufactured in Russia, and two in India. The two sides are engaged in talks for procuring MiG-29K for the IAC-1, more T-90 tanks as well as additional Su-30 MKI for the Indian Air Force.

Military-technical cooperation continues to be a lynch-pin of the bilateral time-tested partnership. The Bilateral Defence Agreement was extended for a further period of 10 years up to 2031. Russia has continued to supply essential military equipment as requisitioned by India during visit of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to Moscow in September 2020 in the wake of the Galwan attack by China. This was done in spite of demand by China to delay supplies of crucial items to India.

Some of the new areas identified for cooperation include Central Asia, the Far East Region of Russia and the Arctic. All these regions face a threat of growing dominance by China which would decrease Russia’s influence in these regions.

Russia’s Far East is extremely well endowed with natural and mineral resources like oil, gas, iron ore, copper, diamonds, gold, silver, etc. It encompasses about 40 percent of Russia’s land area but accounts for only five percent of the total population. It is in urgent need of investment and trained manpower. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had extended a Line of Credit of $1 billion during his visit to Vladivostok in 2019 to explore opportunities for greater Indian engagement with that region. In the post-pandemic period, this region beckons for greater Indian engagement. Indian participation in this region is particularly welcome on account of the increasing danger of Chinese intrusions which appears to have grown in recent years.

The Arctic is a promising region for bilateral collaboration. Putin had invited India to cooperate with it in the region during Modi’s visit in 2019. The region is extremely rich in mineral resources including hydrocarbons and fossil fuels. The region also faces risk of increased Chinese presence which has declared itself as a “Near Arctic State” although no such concept exists in the constitution of the Arctic Council.

Russia has gone deep into the embrace of China as a result of sanctions imposed by the US and the West in the wake of the Ukraine crisis and accession of Crimea to Russia in 2014. India has moved closer to the US in strategic and military fields on account of the threat it confronts from China on the northern land frontier as well as the Indian Ocean.

Putin’s visit sought to underline and emphasise the multi-polar nature of the world geopolitical architecture. The vibrant India-Russia strategic partnership has sent out a clear message that the world is evolving into a multi-polar structure. Putin’s visit was a strong reminder that the world is entering an era of greater pluri-lateralism, one that recognises the shortcomings of multilateralism, the limits of bilateralism and the untenability of unilateralism, from whichever quarter.

Afghanistan emerged as a major subject of bilateral deliberations between Modi and Putin as also during the 2+2 deliberations. There were differences in the perspectives of the two sides on Afghanistan in recent years. Russia’s assessment changed drastically in mid-August 2021 when the Taliban took over Kabul and there was no indication that it would abide by its commitments of forming an inclusive government, respecting the rights of minorities as well as women and children, and will not allow its territory to be used by terrorist groups for attacks against neighbors. Today there is near-complete convergence in the viewpoint of both India and Russia on the way forward in Afghanistan.

Putin’s short but highly consequential visit and launch of the 2+2 Dialogue have imbued new energy and dynamism into the bilateral partnership. There might be a few areas of divergence between the two sides, but the convergences are much larger. The trust between PM Modi and President Putin will continue to navigate the bilateral partnership and make it even more robust.

The writer is executive council member, Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, president, Institute of Global Studies, Distinguished Fellow, Ananta Aspen Centre, and former Ambassador of India to Kazakhstan, Sweden and Latvia. The views expressed are personal.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin to visit India on December 6, Know Key Details

The visit of russian president putin coincides with the delivery of the first batch of the s400 air defence systems to india. know key agendas during putin’s visit to india..

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India on December 6: Key Agendas

During Putin’s visit to India on December 6, 2021, a number of pacts in the field of economy, defence, science and technology, trade are expected to be signed. The Summit will also witness the renewal of a framework for military-technical cooperation for the next decade (2021-31). A joint commission on technology and science is also likely to be announced.

India and Russia are at the stage of finalizing negotiations for the Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Agreement (RELOS) which is likely to be signed during the Summit or the first 2+2 dialogue of the foreign and defence ministers meeting.

The situation and developments in Afghanistan since the Taliban take over are also expected to be taken up during 2+2 ministerial dialogue and the Summit. In August 2021, PM Modi and Russian President Putin had announced to create a permanent channel between India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Russian counterpart Nikolay Patrushev for discussions relating to Afghanistan.

The visit of the Russian President coincides with the delivery of the first batch of the S400 air defence systems to India by the end of 2021. India and Russia had signed the contract for S400 air defence systems in October 2018.

Besides strategic areas of discussion, the COVID-19 crisis and overall health sector will also be discussed. India is a major production hub for Russian Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin last visit to India

List of international presidential trips made by vladimir putin in 2021.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the visit to India on December 6 will be Putin’s second foreign visit in 2021.

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Vladimir Putin’s Visit to India

On December 6, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin paid a visit to India for the annual summit between India’s and Russia’s leaders. This visit is overdue by a year, having been postponed last year due to the Covid epidemic. The visit comes at a time of growing uncertainty over the future of India-Russia relations and is expected to provide some light on that perplexing topic.

This expectation is bolstered by the symbolism inherent in the visit prior to its commencement. This is Putin’s second trip outside Russia this year; his first was to Geneva in June to meet with US Vice President Joe Biden. Putin has cancelled visits to the G-20 and the Glasgow climate change conference, as well as rescheduling a planned visit to China, because of the pandemic. Thus, Putin is signalling that his visit is not solely focused on preserving India’s “special, privileged strategic cooperation,” but on strengthening bilateral ties . This is despite New Delhi’s increasing affinities with Washington.

The partnership has seen numerous symbolic gestures from both parties over the last couple of years. Putin conferred the Order of St Andrew on Modi in 2019, making him the country’s sole foreign dignitary to earn this highest Russian honour.

Moscow also abandoned its ‘neutrality’ between India and China in order to back New Delhi at the UN in the aftermath of the decision to repeal Article 370 and to expedite the delivery of weaponry to India during the 2020 Himalayan border tensions with China.

India has retaliated at the United Nations, most recently by expressing support for Russia in Crimea and co-sponsoring a resolution condemning Nazi glorification. Additionally, the Russians admire India’s determination to purchase the S-400 Air Defense system in the face of US sanctions.

However, the relationship is not solely symbolic. Russia has reclaimed the top spot as India’s arms supplier in the last two years, while actively engaging in the ‘Make in India’ initiative. Energy cooperation is booming, and new sectors such as pharmaceuticals, ceramics, chemicals, high-tech industry, cyber, and digital finance are being explored to strengthen economic ties. India has committed to assisting Russia’s Far East in its development, underlining this commitment with the first-ever one-billion-dollar credit line to boost Indian industry in the region.

Despite significant progress in recent years, it is self-evident that the bilateral relationship cannot be isolated from the geopolitical and economic turbulence roiling international affairs.

India has committed to assisting Russia’s Far East in its development, underlining this commitment with the first-ever one-billion-dollar credit line to boost Indian industry in the region.

Additionally, some points of contention will be impossible to overlook given that both Russia and India are cozying up to distinct players in the US-China geopolitical competition — the first is a primary adversary of Russia, while the second is India’s primary antagonist. In this setting, it is critical to maintain close contact between New Delhi and Moscow in order to maximise convergences and minimise divergences.

To begin, divergent interpretations of the Indo-Pacific idea and the resurgence of the Quad — comprising Australia, Japan, the United States, and India — should not be permitted to become a significant impediment. Sergey Lavrov, Russia’s foreign minister, has been openly dismissive and critical of the Indo-Pacific concept, which he views as a US attempt to restrict China, and possibly even Russia.

Lavrov is immune to the negative connotations that these phrases elicit in India. To be honest, Putin has been significantly more circumspect in his public pronouncements on the Indo-Pacific and the Quad.

However, there is rising disagreement among Russia’s elites regarding the Indo-Pacific notion, as well as an acceptance that there are multiple interpretations of the word and that India’s vision of the Indo-Pacific is distinct from the one articulated by the US. Dr. S. Jaishankar’s call to Russia to play a stronger role in the Indo-Pacific, made during his July visit to Moscow, has added fodder to the mill.

Russia’s elites were already debating the necessity of expanding Russia’s engagement in the Indian Ocean region, where they feel India plays a critical role. Russian strategists believe that the signing of the Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Services Agreement (RELOS) during Putin’s visit, as well as increased diplomatic cooperation within the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), will bolster this process.

Lavrov’s insensitive choice to travel to Islamabad from Delhi in April, a blunder avoided by his brilliant Soviet predecessor, Andrey Gromyko, 50 years ago, further added to India’s policymakers’ dismay.

Until recently, the second area of divergence was Afghanistan. However, the fractious US pull-out and the Taliban’s ascension to power in Kabul have brought India and Russia closer together, even though some nuances remain. Linked to this is Russia’s expanding involvement with Pakistan, which has sparked widespread outrage in India.

The third potential source of bilateral friction is an apparent lack of trust in the extent to which the two countries are willing to go with their new strategic partners — India with the US and Russia with China. However, there is an overall shared objective that should assist India and Russia in resolving any trust difficulties. New Delhi and Moscow despise the idea of Asia or Europe developing a hegemon or hegemonic power. This shared understanding could serve as the impetus for a dynamic India-Russia collaboration aimed at ensuring a multipolar Asia and Europe.

Finally, the economic relationship is a fourth area that demands immediate and continuous attention. Despite the promise, trade is pitiful in comparison to India’s with the US or Russia’s with China. India is attempting to deepen its economic ties with Russia.

Russia’s enthusiasm to participate in the Make in India programme is reciprocated. From Bhilai to Brahmos, there is a long history of successful cooperative enterprises. Economic relations are predominantly between governments.

Without private sector participation, Indo-Russian economic connections will struggle to expand beyond a certain degree. The two countries’ business leaders are strikingly ignorant about one another. It is critical to establish bilateral networks in order to reduce reliance on Western media for knowledge about one another.

While a single presidential visit is unlikely to suddenly eliminate all of these irritants, the visit’s extensive agenda indicates that politicians are cognizant of the difficulties and the urgency with which they must be addressed.

The meeting will be preceded by the recently established 2+2 dialogue between the two countries’ defence and foreign ministers. The Economic Joint Commission is also scheduled to convene before Modi and Putin’s meeting. Additionally, a plethora of defence and economic deals have been drawn up.

Finally, the only way for India and Russia to avoid being buffeted by the shifting winds of global geopolitics and geoeconomics is for them to be able to write themselves into each other’s national development narratives. This will ensure a long and pleasant connection.

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India- Russia Joint Statement following the visit of the President of the Russian Federation

December 06, 2021

INDIA-RUSSIA: Partnership for Peace, Progress and Prosperity

At the invitation of Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi, President of the Russian Federation H.E. Mr. Vladimir Putin paid a working visit to New Delhi on 6 December 2021 for the 21st India–Russia Annual Summit. 2. The completion of 5 decades of the 1971 Treaty of Peace, Friendship and Cooperation and 2 decades of Declaration on Strategic Partnership is symbolic of the long standing and time-tested India-Russia relations characterized by mutual trust, respect for each other’s core national interests and similarity of positions on various international and regional issues. 3. The Sides reaffirmed their commitment to the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia. They underscored that as major powers with common responsibilities, this important relationship continues to be an anchor of global peace and stability. 4. The Sides positively assessed the multi-faceted India-Russia relations that span various areas of cooperation including political and strategic, economy, energy, military and security, science and technology, culture and humanitarian cooperation. They noted that while the traditional areas of cooperation are being further strengthened, new drivers of growth have led to diversification and expansion of bilateral cooperation. 5. The Leaders highly appreciated the sustained momentum in bilateral ties despite the negative impacts of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. They acknowledged that the Annual Summit could not be held in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Sides noted with satisfaction the continued intensification of contacts at all levels including 6 telephonic conversations between the two leaders since the last Summit; visits of Foreign Minister, Raksha Mantri, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Minister of Steel from Indian Side; visit of Russian Foreign Minister and Secretary of Security Council to India; holding of Foreign Office Consultations, India-Russia Strategic Economic Dialogue, consultations on UN issues, Arctic, policy planning etc. 6. The Leaders welcomed the holding of back-to-back meetings of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military and Military-Technical Cooperation and the first 2+2 Dialogue of Foreign and Defence Ministers of India and Russia in New Delhi on 6 December 2021. They underscored the importance of regular annual 2+2 meetings for exchanging views on global and regional political-security developments. 7. The Leaders noted the ongoing interaction between the Parliaments of two countries and underlined the importance of regular meetings of Inter-Parliamentary Commission as a valuable component of India- Russia relations. 8. The Leaders reiterated the importance of the security dialogue at the level of NSA and NSCS on bilateral and regional issues and welcomed regular interactions between them. This has served to enhance strategic understanding and coordination between the two countries. Cooperation in Covid-19 pandemic 9. The Sides exchanged views on the Covid-19 pandemic situation and highly appreciated the ongoing bilateral cooperation in the fight against Covid-19, especially with respect to "Sputnik-V” vaccine. 10. The Leaders expressed gratitude to each other’s countries for timely assistance during the pandemic. India’s assistance in supplying critical medicines, including paracetamol, hydroxychloroquine, and certain antibiotics during the first phase in Russia and Russia’s assistance in providing ventilators, oxygen concentrators and other critical equipment during India’s second phase, was a humanitarian gesture well-received by both Sides. 11. The Sides expressed confidence that early mutual recognition of Covid vaccination certificates will further facilitate movement of persons between the two countries and agreed to fast track the formalities in this regard. 12. The Sides expressed appreciation for the efforts of relevant agencies involved in evacuation efforts as well as transport of life saving equipment and medicines. They noted that the Air-bubble arrangement has served the interim travel needs of citizens of both countries. Both Sides agreed to consider resumption of direct passenger and cargo flights to their pre-pandemic capacity. Economy 13. The Sides appreciated the resumption of the positive trajectory of bilateral trade, with trade registering an increase of about 38% in the first half of 2021 compared to the same period in 2020 despite the pandemic-related restrictions. They positively assessed the overall increase of bilateral trade in 2019-20 compared to the previous year. 14. The Sides noted that the bilateral trade does not reflect the potential of strength and depth of India-Russia strategic partnership. The leaders stressed on the need for greater efforts to achieve the trade target of USD 30 billion by 2025. In this regard, they placed strong emphasis on new drivers of growth for long-term cooperation. 15. The Sides underscored the need for commencement of negotiations on Trade Agreement between India and The Eurasian Economic Union. 16. The leaders noted the relevance of continued engagement under the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC) for bilateral economic cooperation in various priority areas. They acknowledged the holding of 12 Working Group and Sub-group meetings under the IRIGC-TEC and instructed the concerned officials to expeditiously conclude meetings of pending Working Groups. The Sides also welcomed the setting up of the new Working Groups and Sub Groups on Transport, Urban Development and Railways and looked forward to the early holding of their inaugural meetings. 17. The Sides welcomed the holding of the 3rd edition of the India-Russia Strategic Economic Dialogue (IRSED) on April 15, 2021 in virtual format. They noted the productive discussions under this format in the areas of transport, agriculture, digital transformation, tourism, industry and banking and small and medium enterprises. The Sides considered the need to look at the way forward for the collaboration under this mechanism. 18. The Sides appreciated the outcomes of the visit of Minister of Steel of India to Moscow to attend the Russian Energy Week in October, 2021 and welcomed the progress made in a short span in reviving collaboration in coking coal and steel sectors. A mutually beneficial MoU for reliable long-term supplies of coal to India for steel production was signed. Discussions were held on production of specialty steel under Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme in India, and utilization of technologies from Russian state steel institutes for steel production in India by private and public sector companies. The Indian Side welcomed the interest of Russian Side in learning from India’s experience of gainful utilization of coal residues. The Sides also welcomed the meeting of the 1st Working Group on Coking Coal in virtual format in October, 2020. 19. The Leaders welcomed the signing of Agreement of Intent between Indian PSUs and Russian company PhosAgro for supply of fertilizers in the period of 2021/2022 calendar years. They instructed their officials to continue discussions for agreement on long term supply and pricing arrangements. 20. Trade in pharmaceuticals continues to be one of the main items of India’s exports to Russia. Both Sides noted with satisfaction the continued strength of this commodity as well as Indian companies’ participation in Russia’s localization programme under Pharma 2020 and Pharma 2030 schemes. They recognized the growing collaboration in medical devices as a new promising area of economic engagement in the context of the pandemic. 21. The Sides appreciated the rapid recovery of collaboration in diamond sector between the two countries, following the initial downturn witnessed during the pandemic. 22. The Sides welcomed the progress on discussions on elimination of trade barriers in respect of critical commodities under the aegis of the Sub-Group on Elimination of the Trade Barriers of IRIGC-TEC. Both Sides agreed to consider fast-tracking elimination of barriers by way of closing critical gaps in phytosanitary and veterinary requirements of both countries in agricultural and agro-processed products. 23. The Sides recognised the need to further streamline and fast-track the process of Customs clearances of cargoes. In this regard, the Sides agreed to replace the discussions on the 'Green Corridor Project' with an Agreement on Mutual Recognition of Authorized Economic Operators (AEO) and a MoU on Exchange of pre-arrival Customs data. The Sides, also, agreed to commence discussions on this Agreement and MoU at the earliest. 24. The Indian Side encouraged participation of Russian companies in the 13 key sectors of Production Linked Incentive scheme of Government of India under the ‘Atmanirbhar’ and ‘Make in India’ programme. The Indian Side also invited the Russian Side to continue consideration of setting up manufacturing facilities in Greenfield industrial cities under Industrial Corridor Programme of Government of India. 25. The Sides recognized that the pandemic slowed down progress on certain investment decisions by companies on both Sides. However, both Sides noted with satisfaction that several investment ideas continue to progress, particularly those in inland waterways, railways, shipbuilding and repair, steel and coking coal, medical devices, petrochemicals, ports, banking and re-insurance services, pharmaceuticals, agriculture and agro processing, healthcare, IT and oil & gas. 26. The Sides urged the corresponding Ministries to finalize negotiations of the Bilateral Investment Treaty in a spirit of mutual understanding in order to protect mutual investments. They welcomed the signing of the MoU on Cooperation in the Field of Intellectual Property between Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce, India and Federal Service for Intellectual Property, Russian Federation. 27. The Sides reiterated their commitment to strengthen inter-bank and insurance cooperation. Commercial Indo Bank, Moscow, the only Indian Bank operating in Russia, has upgraded its rating significantly over the last year. Indian Side expressed hope that this will allow the Bank to enter into retail segment after obtaining necessary approvals. Similarly, GIC Perestrakhovanie LLC, a 100% subsidiary of General Insurance Corporation of India, commenced its operations in September 2020 and is now offering reinsurance support to all major general insurers in the Russian Federation. 28. The Sides agreed to continue joint work on promoting mutual settlement of payments in national currencies, which will help reduce cost and time as well as risks involved in payments. 29. The Sides also expressed interest in continuing dialogue on accepting RuPay and MIR Cards within national payment infrastructures, as well as on interaction of Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and the Faster Payments System of the Bank of Russia (FPS). The Russian Side invited Indian credit institutions to connect to the financial messaging system of the Bank of Russia to facilitate faultless interbank transactions. 30. The Indian Side invited Russian Side’s participation in civilian shipbuilding and inland waterways as promising new areas of collaboration. The two leaders welcomed the preparation of bilateral document in the area of civilian shipbuilding, which will facilitate enhancement of interaction and specialist training, investments in ship building and repair, scientific research, development of intelligent transport and navigation systems, international transport corridors. They welcomed the signing of the Agreement of Intent between Mazagaon Dock Ltd. and Zvezda Shipyard for commercial shipping signed in September this year. Cooperation in the Russian Far-East 31. President Putin welcomed Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s commitment to an Act Far-East Policy under which India could be a reliable partner in the development of the Russian Far-East. He supported Prime Minister Modi’s concept of Sangam as a development tool for the region. The Russian Side warmly welcomed the successful visit of Prime Minister Modi to Vladivostok to attend the 5th Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) in 2019 and his virtual participation in the 6th EEF this year. 32. The Sides noted the greater intensity of Inter-regional dialogue on economic cooperation between the States of India and the regions of Russia including the virtual meeting between the Chief Minister of Gujarat and Governor of Sakha Republic (Yakutia) in September, 2021. They appreciated holding of several B2B, G2G and B2G meetings recently between Indian companies and Russian regions. They welcomed the signing of 9 twinning agreements between the cities/states of India and the regions of Russia so far for mutual cooperation in diverse areas. 33. The Sides welcomed the interest of Indian companies in cooperating in the Russian Far East. Energy, transport and logistics, maritime connectivity, diamond processing, forestry, pharmaceuticals & healthcare, tourism and humanitarian fields have been identified as areas of further cooperation in the Russian Far-East. 34. The Indian Side reiterated its commitment to enhanced trade and investment in the Russian Far-East. The Sides agreed to continue discussion on the operationalization of the US$ 1 billion Line of Credit announced by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in 2019 for projects for development of the Russian Far East. Energy 35. The Leaders reaffirmed that bilateral energy cooperation is a key pillar of the bilateral ties and an energy bridge between the two countries. Both Sides reiterated their joint efforts under the Roadmap for Cooperation in Hydrocarbons for 2019-24 to further deepen bilateral cooperation in the energy sector and welcomed the opening of Bharat Energy Center in Moscow, representing five Indian oil and gas public sector companies to enhance engagement with Russian stakeholders in energy sector. 36. The Sides noted with satisfaction, the fruitful, wide-ranging collaboration between the oil and gas companies of the two countries, including between JSC Rosneft Oil Company and Oil and Gas Public Sector Undertakings of India in implementing the Vankorneft, Sakhalin-1 and Taas-Yuryakh Neftegazodobycha projects in Russia, and Nayara Energy Limited’s oil refinery in India. They also welcomed prospective two way investment initiatives of both countries, which are currently under discussion. 37. The Sides reaffirmed their commitment for increasing sourcing of Russian crude oil on long term contracts through preferential pricing, strengthening LNG imports to India, and the possible utilization of the Northern Sea Route for energy supplies. The two Sides further agreed for the expansion of cooperation in gas sector and welcomed the creation of Gas Task Force to identify mutually beneficial areas including the development of investment in gas infrastructure and distribution projects, use of natural gas in transport and emerging fuels including hydrogen. 38. Both Sides, appreciating the strength of the Indian petrochemical market, agreed to expand collaboration through Russian participation by way of investment, technological and other ways of collaboration in Indian petrochemical sector. The Sides welcomed the interest of Nayara Energy in production of products like polypropylene in India. 39. Both Sides also agreed to consider prospects for expanding cooperation in hydro and thermal power, energy efficiency and the sector of renewable energy. They also noted the need for cooperation in hydrogen economy, low-emission development, including exchange of best practices. The Indian Side emphasized the need for responsible and reasonable pricing of global energy supplies determined by market forces. Both Sides noted the importance of dialogue between consumers and producers for stabilizing energy prices. Transport and Connectivity 40. The Indian Side welcomed the growing participation of Russian companies in modernization of the railway sector in India. This includes Russian Side’s interest in implementing projects using Russian technology, equipment and capital in India, particularly in signalling and telematic systems, high-speed rail projects, electrification of railways while abiding by India’s Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat programmes. 41. The Indian Side appreciated Russia’s participation in electronic toll collection technology based on satellite navigation technologies on Indian highways, implemented by the joint Russian-Indian company Bharat Telematic Systems Pvt Ltd. 42. The Sides emphasized on greater and effective usage of the International North-South Transport Corridor for cargo transport at lesser cost and time to enhance connectivity in the Eurasian Space. In this context, they welcomed the signing of agreement between Russian Railways (RZD) and CONCOR last year to jointly develop multi-modal logistics services along INSTC route. The Russian Side expressed support for India’s proposal to include Chabahar port within the framework of INSTC. They stressed that connectivity initiatives should be based on the principles of transparency, broad participation, local priorities, financial sustainability and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations. 43. The Indian Side informed that the feasibility study of the Chennai-Vladivostok Eastern Maritime Corridor is in advance stage, and the study so far done indicates an array of opportunities for increased traffic upon the successful implementation of its recommendations. The Sides expressed optimism that the implementation of the recommendations of the study will provide a fillip to the bilateral trade. Civil Nuclear Energy and Space 44. The Sides noted the significant progress achieved in the construction of the remaining nuclear power plant units at Kudankulam. Both Sides noted the importance of continued further discussion on the second site in India; the Indian Side will strive to finalize formal allotment of the second site in accordance with earlier signed agreements. They welcomed continuation of technical discussions on the VVER 1200 of the Russian design, joint manufacturing of equipment and localization of components. 45. Both Sides noted successful cooperation in the setting up of the Rooppur NPP in Bangladesh and expressed their readiness to explore similar cooperation in third countries as well. 46. The Sides welcomed the enhanced cooperation between the State Space Corporation "Roscosmos” and the Indian Space Research Organization, including in the human spaceflight programs and satellite navigation and agreed to study the prospects of the development of mutually beneficial cooperation in the development of launch vehicles and use of outer space for peaceful purposes, including planetary exploration. 47. The Sides welcomed the active work carried out within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding between the State Space Corporation "Roscosmos” and the Indian Space Research Organization on joint activities in human spaceflight program and noted with satisfaction the training of 4 Indian astronaut candidates from the «Yu.A.Gagarin Research & Test Cosmonaut Training Center» FSBO. 48. To facilitate further cooperation in Space, the Sides welcomed the signing of Agreement between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the Russian Federation on technology protection due to cooperation in field of research and use of outer space for peaceful purposes and building and operation of launch vehicles and ground-based space infrastructure. 49. Both Sides intend to strengthen cooperation within the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UN COPUOS), including the issues of the long-term sustainability of outer space activities. Military and Military-Technical Cooperation 50. Russian Side appreciated the participation of Indian Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh along with a Tri-Service contingent of the Indian armed forces in the Victory Day Parade at Red Square in Moscow to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of Victory of the Soviet People in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945. 51. Military and military-technical cooperation has traditionally been the pillar of Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia. Responding to India’s quest for self-sufficiency, the partnership is reorienting presently to joint research and development, co-development and joint production of advanced defence technology and systems. 52. The Sides expressed satisfaction with regular military contacts and joint exercises of the Armed Forces of the two countries which reached unprecedented heights this year with three exercises being held within a span of 60 days besides simultaneous participation of large Indian contingents in the International Army Games. The Russian Side deeply appreciated participation of INS Tabar in the 325th Russian Navy Day celebrations. The Sides agreed to continue and expand regular defence dialogue, mutual training and exercises, subject matter expert exchanges and other activities under the aegis of India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Military and Military Technical Cooperation. 53. Both Sides noted with satisfaction the successful implementation of the 2011-2020 Long-Term Program for Military and Technical Cooperation and welcomed the signing of a new long-term program for the period 2021-2031. 54. The Sides reiterated their commitment to upgrade the defence cooperation, including facilitating joint development and production of military equipment, components and spare parts, enhancing the after-sales service system, progress towards mutual recognition of quality control and regular joint exercises of the Armed Forces of the two countries. The two leaders agreed that for peace, stability and mutual economic development, there is a need for the two countries to work closely together in the advanced and emerging fields of defence technology and for the Armed Forces of the two countries to work together in niche domains of military capabilities. 55. Both Sides agreed to take forward ongoing engagements to encourage joint manufacturing in India of spare parts, components, aggregates and other products for maintenance of Russian origin Arms and defence equipment under Make-in-India program through transfer of technology and setting up of joint ventures for meeting the needs of the Indian Armed Forces as well as subsequent export to mutually friendly third countries. 56. The Sides recognized the requirement of an institutional arrangement for reciprocal provision of logistic support and services for the Armed Forces. Science and Technology 57. Emphasizing the importance of joint research in science, technology and innovation, the two Sides welcome the signing of Roadmap for Science, Technology & Innovation Cooperation and, expressed satisfaction with respect to launching joint calls in priority areas as states in the Roadmap. 58. The Sides expressed satisfaction on launching of India-Russia Technology Assessment and Accelerated Commercialization Program by the Department of Science & Technology, Govt. of India and Russian Foundation for Assistance to Small Industrial Enterprises (FASIE), which provides opportunities to Start-ups and SMES of the two countries to address societal challenges through innovative technologies. 59. The Sides also agreed to facilitate collaboration between government and private sector organizations to find ways of joint development of software products, platforms and services as well as in the area of electronics manufacturing. The Sides confirmed their interest in further developing cooperation in the sphere of digital technologies, including those related to information protection, security of critical infrastructure and law enforcement. 60. The Sides noted the promotion of youth exchanges by bringing together co-innovation programs at School level with the Support of Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog and Talent & Success Fund (SIRIUS Centre, Sochi), Russia. These programs engaged students on both Sides to generate hands-on technological solutions for societal problems such as Distance Literacy in remote areas; Rural Health & Well-being and Digital asset monitoring etc. 61. The Indian Side congratulated the Russian Side for its ongoing successful chairmanship of the Arctic Council from 2021-23 and expressed its readiness to play an active role as an Observer in the Arctic Council. Both Sides recalled the bilateral consultations on the Arctic held last year. The Indian Side also expressed its interest in collaborating with Russia on the Northern Sea Route. Education, Culture and Tourism 62. Recognising the traditionally strong cooperation between India and Russia in the sphere of education, the Sides appreciated efforts taken by both countries to ensure well-being of students during the Covid-19 pandemic. They agreed to continue their efforts in promoting educational linkages between universities and educational institutions. The Sides also agreed for organizing exchange programs for their diplomats at the respective training institutes under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 63. The Sides appreciated the successful implementation of bilateral Cultural Exchange Program, which plays a crucial role in enhancing people to people contact and noted the signing of the India Russia Cultural Exchange Programme during the summit for continuance of the bilateral cultural cooperation. It was agreed to continue the mutually beneficial practice of reciprocally holding cultural and film festivals. Need for geographical expansion of cultural exchanges and greater involvement of the youth and folk art groups was highlighted. Both Sides agreed to continue their joint efforts in promoting Russian language in India and Hindi in Russia comprehensively, including by developing contacts between relevant educational institutions. They welcomed the signing of MoU between National Sports University, Imphal, India and the Russian International Olympic University Sochi, Russia. 64. The two Sides appreciated the dynamism in tourist exchanges between Russia and India. To further deepen the cooperation in tourism, the Sides expressed intent to discuss ways of cooperation both at government and private sector level with the aim to enhance tourist exchanges between the two countries. 65. Both Sides welcomed progressive simplification of visa formalities, including introduction of eVisa by both countries. India has opened group tourist visa from October 15, 2021 and normal tourist visa from November 15, 2021, which would further strengthen people-to-people contacts. They agreed to continue the work on further simplification of the visa regime in future. Cooperation in UN and Multilateral Fora 66. Both Sides noted the high level of political dialogue and cooperation on issues at the UN and agreed to deepen it further. Both Sides stressed the importance of reinvigorating multilateralism, with the central coordinating role played by the United Nations in world affairs. The Sides underlined the primacy of respect for international law and emphasized their commitment to the purposes and the principles stated in the UN Charter including the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of Member States. 67. Russia welcomed India’s election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council with an overwhelming majority for a two-year term. Russian Side appreciated India’s UNSC priorities which includes commitment to strengthen and reform of the multilateral system, rule of law, fair and equitable international system and are anchored in the Indian ethos of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”, i.e. the world being one family. Both Sides highlighted that India’s election to the UNSC has provided additional opportunities to coordinate efforts on most pressing issues at the UN based on mutual understanding and a shared view and approach to the global world order. 68. Both Sides called for comprehensive reform of the UNSC to reflect contemporary global realities and to make it more representative, effective and efficient in dealing with issues of international peace and security. President Putin congratulated India on its successful Presidency of the UN Security Council in the month of August and reiterated Russia’s support for India’s permanent membership of a reformed and expanded UN Security Council. Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked President Putin for his participation in the UNSC high-level debate on Maritime Security chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 9, 2021 as part of India’s Presidency of the UNSC. 69. Both Sides reiterated their commitment to enhanced cooperation within BRICS. President Putin congratulated India on its successful BRICS Chairmanship in 2021, including hosting of the XIII BRICS Summit on 09 September 2021 and adopting the New Delhi Declaration. The Sides also welcomed deliverables of BRICS cooperation in 2021, in particular the signing of the Agreement on BRICS Cooperation on Remote Sensing Satellite Constellation, finalization of the Agreement on BRICS Cooperation and Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs Matters, adoption of the BRICS Counter-Terrorism Action Plan, Action Plan 2021-2024 for Agricultural Cooperation, Innovation Cooperation Action Plan 2021-2024 and establishment of the BRICS Alliance for Green Tourism. Both Sides reaffirmed their commitment to implement the Strategy for BRICS Economic Partnership 2025. 70. The Leaders recognised the role of the New Development Bank (NDB) as vital to addressing development challenges, including health and economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and encouraged the NDB to explore the possibility of financing more social infrastructure projects, including those that use digital technologies. They commended the NDB’s substantive progress in membership expansion despite challenges emanating from the COVID-19 pandemic. They reiterated that the process of expansion should be gradual and balanced in terms of geographic representation. 71. India and Russia stressed the achievements of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in the last two decades of its operation and noted the great potential for further interaction among the SCO Member States. Both Sides will continue to strengthen the SCO as one of the key pillars of the emerging, more representative, democratic, just and multipolar world order based on international law, above all the UN Charter. 72. The Sides intend to focus particularly on increasing the effectiveness of countering terrorism, extremism, drug trafficking, cross-border organized crime, and information security threats, in particular by improving the functionality of the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure. 73. The Sides support increased role of SCO in international affairs, comprehensive development of the Organization’s contacts with the UN and its specialized agencies, and other multilateral organizations and associations. In this context, they support the establishment of official ties between the SCO and Eurasian Economic Union. 74. Both Sides agreed to intensify cooperation within the RIC framework to promote common approaches to pressing issues on the global and regional agenda. The Russian Side expressed appreciation for India’s chairmanship of RIC. Both Sides welcomed the results of the RIC Foreign Ministers meeting on 26 November 2021. 75. The Sides highlighted their cooperation within the G20 format and agreed to intensify the same on issues of global and mutual interest, keeping in view India’s presidency of the G20 in 2023. 76. Both Sides strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and urged the international community to intensify cooperation against terrorism including safe havens, terror financing, arms and drugs trafficking, radicalization and malicious use of ICTs to spread extremist, terrorist and other illegal content. 77. Both Sides underscored the importance of implementing the UN General Assembly and the UN Security Council resolutions on countering terrorism and extremism as well as the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, while taking into account national experiences and state specificities. Both Sides reaffirmed their shared fight against international terrorism, concerted action against all terrorist groups, including those proscribed by the UN, condemned cross-border movement of terrorists and called for the perpetrators of terror attacks to be brought to justice, without any political or religious Considerations. They denounced any use of terrorist proxies and emphasized the importance of denying any logistical, financial, or military support to terrorist groups to launch or plan terror attacks. Both Sides reaffirmed the need to support and strengthen the FATF and the UN Office of Counter Terrorism in their shared fight against terrorism. They reaffirmed their mutual commitment to strengthening the current international drug control regime based on the three relevant United Nations conventions. 78. The Sides agreed that safeguarding of global commons including our oceans, outer space and information space should be based on the principles of transparency, accessibility and upholding international law. 79. The Sides appreciated close cooperation in the field of security in the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) through inter-agency cooperation under bilateral mechanisms and at multilateral platforms. They highlighted the leading role of the United Nations in the decision-making process on security in the use of ICTs. The Sides also recognized the need for further work on rules, norms and principles of responsible behavior of State aimed at preventing conflicts and promoting peaceful use of ICTs. The Sides reaffirmed the importance of international cooperation against criminal use of ICTs and in this regard they welcome the establishment of an open- ended Ad hoc intergovernmental committee of experts to elaborate a comprehensive international convention on countering the use of ICTs for criminal purposes as stipulated in the UN GA resolutions 74/247 and 75/282. 80. Both Sides expressed concern over the possibility of an arms race in outer space and outer space turning into an arena for military confrontation. They reaffirmed commitment to take efforts for the prevention of an arms race in outer space, and its weaponization. They stressed the paramount importance of strict compliance with existing international legal agreements providing for the peaceful uses of outer space and promoting international peace and stability, promotion of international cooperation and mutual understanding. The Sides supported negotiation of a multilateral legally binding instrument for prevention of an arms race in outer space. In this regard they noted the relevance of draft treaty on the prevention of the placement of weapons in outer space, the threat or use of force against space objects, submitted to the Conference of Disarmament for future negotiations. The Sides reaffirmed that the Conference on Disarmament, is the only forum for holding multilateral negotiations on an international agreement (or agreements) on the prevention of an arms race in outer space in all its aspects. 81. The Sides reaffirmed support to full and effective adherence to the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction (BTWC) by all States Parties. The Sides noted that, the BTWC functions, including in what concerns the UN Security Council, should not be duplicated by other mechanisms. The Sides expressed the support to strengthening of BTWC including by adopting a protocol to the Convention providing for, inter alia, an effective compliance verification mechanism. 82. Both Sides reaffirmed support to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), and their determination to uphold efforts and initiatives aimed at preserving the integrity of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). They called upon the States Parties to the CWC to engage in a constructive dialogue with a view to restoring the spirit of consensus in the OPWC. 83. To address the threat of chemical and biological terrorism, both Sides emphasized the need to launch multilateral negotiations on an international convention for the suppression of acts of chemical and biological terrorism at the Conference on Disarmament. 84. Both Sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening global efforts for non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Russia expressed its strong support for India’s membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group. The Sides urged all members of the international community to work towards enhancing the level of mutual trust, in order to promote global peace and security. 85. The Sides discussed the evolving situation in Afghanistan, especially the security situation and its implications in the region, the current political situation, issues related to terrorism, radicalisation and drug trafficking etc. They outlined the priorities which include ensuring formation of a truly inclusive and representative government, combating terrorism and drug trafficking, providing immediate humanitarian assistance and preserving the rights of women, children and minorities. 86. The leaders reiterated strong support for a peaceful, secure and stable Afghanistan while emphasizing the respect for sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity and non-interference in its internal affairs. They also discussed the current humanitarian situation and decided to provide immediate humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people. 87. The leaders emphasised that Afghanistan’s territory should not be used for sheltering, training, planning or financing any terrorist groups including ISIS, Al Qaeda, LeT etc. They reaffirmed their firm commitment to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including its financing, the dismantling of terrorist infrastructure and countering radicalization, to ensure that Afghanistan would never become a safe haven for global terrorism. Both Sides recalled the importance of the relevant UN Resolutions on Afghanistan, as well as the recent outcome documents of Moscow format consultations and other international and regional mechanisms. The leaders emphasized the central role of the United Nations in Afghanistan. 88. The leaders welcomed close coordination between India and Russia on Afghanistan including through the creation of a permanent consultative mechanism on the issue between the Security Councils of both countries. They highly appreciated the finalisation of the Roadmap of interaction between India and Russia on Afghanistan, which symbolized convergence of views and interests of the two Sides. 89. The Russian Side welcomed Delhi Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan of National Security Advisors/Secretaries of Security Council on 10 November 2021 in New Delhi and welcomed the Delhi Declaration on Afghanistan that emerged from that meeting. 90. The Sides reaffirmed their strong commitment to sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Syria. The Sides also reaffirmed their commitment that there is no alternative to advancing a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned, UN- facilitated political process in line with the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2254 (2015) and the necessity to mobilize comprehensive humanitarian assistance to all the Syrians in need without politicization and preconditions as required by UNSCR 2585(2021). 91. The Sides reiterated the importance of the full implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and UNSC Resolution 2231 and expressed their support to the relevant efforts to ensure the earliest reinvigoration of the JCPOA. 92. Both Sides urged all the concerned parties to work towards denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula to promote establishment of lasting peace and stability and stressed on the need to continue dialogue to achieve this goal. 93. The Sides agreed to explore mutually acceptable and beneficial areas of cooperation in third countries especially in the Central Asia, South East Asia and Africa. 94. The Sides reiterated the need to preserve and strengthen the role of the World Trade Organization for upholding a transparent, non-discriminatory, and inclusive multilateral trading system with the fundamental principles at its core. They agreed that the post-pandemic world requires diversified global value chains that are based on trust, resilience and reliability. 95. Both Sides emphasized the importance of deepening regional economic cooperation to ensure sustainable socio-economic development and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, including the expansion of cooperation within the framework of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific in such key areas as transport, energy and trade. 96. The Sides reaffirmed that the emerging regional security architecture should be free, open, transparent and inclusive, based on universally recognized principles of international law and aimed at maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations and mutually beneficial cooperation in the region. They agreed to strengthen joint efforts to build an architecture of equal and indivisible regional security. The Sides agreed to intensify consultations on complementarities between integration and development initiatives in greater Eurasian space and in the regions of Indian and Pacific oceans. They underscored their recognition of the ASEAN centrality in the regional architecture of security and cooperation and reiterated the importance of closer cooperation and consultations in various regional fora and initiatives such as the East Asia Summit (EAS), ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus), Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD),to jointly contribute to regional peace, security and stability. 97. The Indian Side looked forward to Russia’s joining of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI). 98. The Sides noted with satisfaction the coinciding and similar approaches to their foreign policy priorities and reaffirmed their commitment for further strengthening of the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership, both in the context of the current bilateral relations and in addressing regional and international issues. They expressed their mutual intention to strengthen and expand their bilateral relations for the benefit of the peoples of India and Russia. 99. President Vladimir Putin thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the gracious hospitality extended to him and his delegation in New Delhi and invited him to visit Russia next year for the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit. New Delhi December 06, 2021

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Russia’s Putin Plans to Visit China in May

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Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday he will visit China in May, in what is believed to be his first trip abroad after securing his re-election in March.

Mr. Putin announced his plans for the visit at a congress of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs in Moscow.

He didn’t disclose an exact date, nor did he provide further details.

The 71-year-old Russian leader will begin his fifth term on May 7 after winning 87 percent of the vote against three insignificant rivals in what the United States and other Western nations have called a sham election.

Russia’s growing economic and diplomatic isolation due to its invasion of Ukraine has driven the country closer to China, its former rival for leadership of the communist bloc during the Cold War.

According to a recent U.S. assessment, China has increased its sales and supplies of equipment and technology to Russia that Moscow is using to produce weapons such as missiles, tanks and aircraft.

Beijing has repeatedly denied such claims, although it has maintained robust economic connections with Moscow.

On Wednesday, the Chinese ambassador to the United Nations took sides with Russia when it vetoed a resolution reaffirming the 1967 Outer Space Treat prohibiting the use of nuclear weapons in space, calling the resolution “incomplete and unbalanced.”

Beijing has not provided direct lethal military support for Russia and has sought to project itself as neutral in the Ukraine conflict.

‘No Limits’ Partnership

Beijing proposed a peace plan that was largely dismissed by Ukraine’s allies in February last year. Its 12-point peace plan did not contain any specific proposals but spoke in very general terms of “relevant counties” that need to take responsibility—without naming anyone—in “abusing unilateral sanctions” and “do their share in de-escalating the Ukraine crisis.”

The West has always insisted that the total withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian territory is an indispensable condition for peace.

Beijing’s proposal also condemned a “Cold War mentality,” a term that often refers to the United States and the U.S.-European military alliance NATO. “The security of a region should not be achieved by strengthening or expanding military blocs,” the proposal says.

In December 2021, a few months before Russian troops invaded Ukraine, Mr. Putin said Russia would seek “reliable and long-term security guarantees” from the West “that would exclude any further NATO moves eastward,” further warning of a possible military escalation.

“That’s what will happen. And there will be no winners,” he told French President Emmanuel Macron.

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Putin announces plans to visit China in May on his first foreign trip since March elections

This would be putin's first foreign trip since the presidential elections in march and will follow his presidential inauguration on may 7. diplomatic and trade relations between russia and china have grown sharply since the ukraine war in 2022 as the former has been heavily sanctioned by the west..

In March, the 71-year-old Russian leader secured his fifth term in office in a vote with no real opposition, extending his 24-year rule. Putin's inauguration is scheduled for May 7, Russian lawmakers said earlier this week. Russia's growing economic and diplomatic isolation because of its war against Ukraine has made it increasingly reliant on China, its former rival for leadership of the Communist bloc during the Cold War.

Putin signed a "no limits" partnership agreement with Chinese President Xi Jinping in February 2022 less than three weeks before sending his troops into Ukraine. Diplomatic and trade ties between Moscow and Beijing have swelled as China surged sales of machine tools, microelectronics and other technology that Moscow in turn is using to produce missiles, tanks, aircraft and other weaponry for use in the conflict.

China has repeatedly said it isn't providing Russia with arms or military assistance, although it has maintained robust economic connections with Moscow. Beijing has not provided direct lethal military support for Russia and has sought to project itself as neutral in the Ukraine conflict, but has also refused to condemn the Russia-Ukraine war, which has entered its third year.

China has also proposed a peace plan that was largely dismissed by Ukraine's allies, who insisted that Moscow must withdraw its forces from the neighbouring country as a condition for peace. The Chinese government has also denounced Western sanctions against Moscow and accused NATO and the United States of provoking Putin's invasion.

Blinken's visit to China

Putin's announcement came shortly after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken landed in Beijing, where he met his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi after Washington angered China by passing a $8 billion package aimed to counter Chinese threats in the Indo-Pacific, along with defence aid for Taiwan. Wang on Friday accused the US of suppressing China's development in the meeting with Blinken.

As the pair settled into their opening session, Wang told Blinken that the "giant ship" of the China-US relationship had stabilised, "but negative factors in the relationship are still increasing and building. And the relationship is facing all kinds of disruptions. China's legitimate development rights have been unreasonably suppressed and our core interests are facing challenges."

Blinken replied that "active diplomacy" was needed to move forward with the agenda set by President Joe Biden and President Xi Jinping when they met in San Francisco in November. "There's no substitute in our judgement for face-to-face diplomacy," he said, adding that he wanted to ensure that "we're as clear as possible about the areas where we have differences, at the very least to avoid misunderstandings, to avoid miscalculations".

US State Department officials signalled ahead of the sessions that China's support for Russia would feature strongly, saying that Washington is prepared to act against Chinese companies that have been helping retool and resupply Russia's defence industry. Despite increasing high-level exchanges and working groups tackling issues such as enhanced military communication and global trade, stark differences remain.

China criticises US aid for Taiwan

Wang laid out China's position, saying the US must not step on "red lines" covering sovereignty, security and development interests - an apparent reference to Taiwan, the democratically-governed island that China claims as its own, and the disputed South China Sea. Beijing claims Taiwan is a purely internal matter and the most important and sensitive issue in relations with the United States.

After the US passed the package announcing defence aid for Taiwan, China's Taiwan Affairs Office expressed anger at the bills, saying it "seriously violates" US commitments to China and "sends a wrong signal to the Taiwan independence separatist forces". "We urge the United States to take concrete actions to fulfil its commitment not to support Taiwan independence and to stop arming Taiwan in any way," said spokesperson Zhu Fenglian.

Blinken met local government officials on the first day of his visit to China and urged Beijing to provide a level playing field for American businesses, as US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen signalled that the Biden administration was not taking any options off the table to respond to China's excess industrial capacity.

(with inputs from agencies)

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Putin says plans to visit China next month: Report

MOSCOW : Russian President Vladimir Putin said that he has plans to visit China this May, Kyodo reported citing Russian news agency TASS.

This would mark the first overseas trip of Putin after his fifth term in office begins May 7.

“I have a visit (to China) scheduled in May,” Putin was quoted as saying in his address at the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs congress on Thursday, Kyodo reported.

The announcement by Putin came shortly after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken landed in Beijing.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Putin had in February this year accused Washington of “interfering” in their countries’ affairs during a telephone call.

Xi Jinping had met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Beijing earlier this month, marking the first face-to-face discussion between Lavrov and Xi in six years. Their last meeting in 2018 occurred just before Putin’s inaugural visit to China following his re-election.

Since then, China and Russia have intensified their economic, trade, and diplomatic collaborations, particularly in the aftermath of Putin’s war in Ukraine.

Despite Beijing claiming neutrality in the conflict, it has emerged as a crucial economic partner for Russia, providing vital support to its isolated economy. The two nations have also aligned diplomatically against perceived Western containment efforts.

Beijing has been importing Russian oil after other countries placed sanctions on Russian imports.

Putin’s last visit to Beijing occurred in October 2023 during the Belt and Road Forum, while Xi visited Moscow for a state visit in last March in 2023. (ANI)

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Putin announces plans to visit China in May

Russian President Vladimir Putin said he plans to visit China in May, in what could become the first foreign trip for the Russian leader after he extended his rule by six more years in an election that offered voters little real choice

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday he plans to visit China in May, in what could become the first foreign trip for the Russian leader after he extended his rule by six more years in an election that offered voters little real choice.

Putin announced the plans for the visit at a congress of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs in Moscow. He didn't say when exactly it would take place and didn't offer any other details.

Putin's inauguration is scheduled for May 7, Russian lawmakers said earlier this week. Last month, the 71-year-old Russian leader secured his fifth term in office in a vote with no real opposition, extending his 24-year rule.

Russia’s growing economic and diplomatic isolation because of its war against Ukraine has made it increasingly reliant on China, its former rival for leadership of the Communist bloc during the Cold War.

According to a recent U.S. assessment, China has surged sales to Russia of machine tools, microelectronics and other technology that Moscow in turn is using to produce missiles, tanks, aircraft and other weaponry for use in the conflict.

China has repeatedly said it isn’t providing Russia with arms or military assistance, although it has maintained robust economic connections with Moscow.

Beijing has not provided direct lethal military support for Russia and has sought to project itself as neutral in the Ukraine conflict. It has refused to condemn Moscow’s actions and declared in 2022 that it had a “no-limits” friendship with Russia. The country has denounced Western sanctions against Moscow, and accused NATO and the United States of provoking Putin’s invasion.

China has also proposed a peace plan that was largely dismissed by Ukraine’s allies, who insisted that Moscow must withdraw its forces from the neighboring country as a condition for peace.

Follow AP’s coverage of the war in Ukraine: https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine

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