In cooperation between Russia and India in different areas there is a positive trend. This was stated by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov during a meeting with his Indian counterpart Subramaniam Jaishanqar.

“We noted the positive dynamics of trade and economic ties. At the end of last year, the volume of trade grew by more than 17% and reached almost $ 11 billion. Good rates continue this year, ”Lavrov said during a press conference following the talks.

The Minister also noted that Moscow and New Delhi positively assessed the state and prospects of military-technical cooperation, including the possibility of expanding the joint production of modern weapons.

Following the meeting, the parties also agreed to increase cooperation in space exploration, in the field of nuclear energy and in other high-tech areas.

Separately, Lavrov mentioned the deepening of trade and economic cooperation with New Delhi, which is in the focus of attention of the Eurasian Economic Union.

“To date, all the necessary procedures have been completed to start official negotiations on concluding an agreement on a free trade zone between the EAEU and India. The early launch of an appropriate negotiation process will be an important step on the path of interaction between India and the EAEU, ”Lavrov said.

As the Russian Foreign Minister noted at the end of his speech, the results of the meeting demonstrated the particularly privileged nature of the strategic partnership between the two countries.

“There is a firm intention on both sides to fulfill the instructions of the President of Russia Vladimir Putin and the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi to deepen these relations,” Lavrov said.

  • Russian President Vladimir Putin during a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi
  • Reuters
  • © Sputnik / Grigory Sysoyev / Kremlin

He also mentioned that Putin and Modi met five times last year, and twice this year.

Dmitry Abzalov, President of the Center for Strategic Communications, said in an interview with RT that India is an important strategic partner of Russia. According to him, several key areas of partnership should be considered, in particular, energy.

“In the energy sector, we have a very diversified interaction and cooperation. For example, Rosneft works with one of the largest refineries in India. India is one of the largest energy consumers in the world, respectively, the area of ​​interaction here is quite extensive, not only in oil refining, but also in oil production. Nuclear energy stands out especially, ”the source said.

He especially noted the importance of India for the Russian arms market. According to Abzalov, it is worth bearing in mind the difficult situation of India with territorial disputes, as a result of which Moscow delivers New Delhi weapons.

“The Americans relied on Pakistan, and Russia has always focused on the Indian market. There are a number of areas, we are well represented at the WWF, during the last conflict, India fought with our planes, ”Abzalov said.

The expert called the delivery of S-400 air defense systems “a serious breakthrough”. Recall, the supply of these weapons to India may begin in 2020 and end in 2025. The corresponding contract was signed in October 2018 during a visit to the country by Russian President Vladimir Putin. As part of the deal, New Delhi will receive five regiments of the S-400 Triumph air defense system in the amount of $ 5.43 billion.

Note that in addition to the S-400, India also continues to cooperate with Russia in the purchase of aircraft. In particular, New Delhi previously acquired 18 Su-30MKI fighters.

In turn, the Foreign Minister of India said that during the next meeting of Putin and Modi, which will be held in September, the expansion of cooperation between the two countries can be announced. Recall that politicians will meet at the 20th summit of the leaders of Russia and India, which will be held on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum (WEF) in Vladivostok.

“All that I can say so far is active preparation, we are optimistic that (at the upcoming summit. - RT ) they will announce new areas of cooperation,” Subramaniyama Jayshankar quotes TASS.

According to him, military-technical cooperation (MTC) is an important component of the Russian-Indian partnership, but there are many other areas where bilateral cooperation is developing very actively.

Commenting on the interaction between Russia and India, Associate Professor of the Institute of Asian and African Countries of Moscow State University Boris Volkhonsky especially noted military-technical cooperation.

“Military-technical cooperation, which has always been, is and remains. There were no sharp failures, turns, the history of our relations is developing less or less steadily, ”the expert said in an interview with RT.