Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to be on a two-day visit to India, starting December 4, AFP reported citing Kremlin on Friday. During his visit, the Russian president is likely to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi.This will be Putin’s first trip to India since the Russia-Ukraine war began in February 2022. His last visit was in December 2021 for the annual summit, which rotates between the two countries. Prime Minister Modi attended the most recent summit in Moscow in July of last year.
Here’s what’s likely on the agenda
Procurement of S-400 air-defence squadrons
India’s proposal to procure five additional S-400 Triumf air-defence squadrons, along with a substantial stock of surface-to-air missiles for the systems already in service—which proved highly effective during Operation Sindoor—is expected to be part of the agenda when PM Modi and Putin meet for their summit on December 5.However, India has not yet decided whether to purchase two or three squadrons of Russia’s fifth-generation Sukhoi-57 fighter, which Moscow is pushing hard as an alternative to the American F-35 Lightning II jets, top sources told TOI.Another agenda could be discussion of Russia-Ukraine war, where PM Modi has advocated for peace several times. Recently, external affairs minister S Jaishankar spoke to Ukraine’s foreign minister Andrii Sybiha and discussed the latest developments in the Ukraine conflict.“Had a telecon with FM Andrii Sybiha last evening. Appreciate his briefing on the ongoing developments related to the Ukraine conflict. Reiterated India’s support for an early end to this conflict and the establishment of an enduring peace,” Jaishankar said.
