On September 4, a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be held in Vladivostok, who will pay an official visit to Russia and take part in the Eastern Economic Forum (WEF).

“The issues of further development of the Russian-Indian particularly privileged strategic partnership will be discussed, including cooperation in the trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres, as well as in the field of security and military-technical cooperation,” the Kremlin press service said in a statement.

It is noted that the leaders will exchange views on pressing international and regional problems. Following the talks, the parties plan to sign a number of interdepartmental and commercial documents, including in the trade and investment sphere, in the field of industry, military-technical cooperation, education and culture.

This year’s third meeting between Putin and Modi will be held face-to-face, Bala Venkatesh Varma, Indian Ambassador to Russia, told reporters. According to him, the heads of state “will spend a lot of time together,” including in private meetings. He also noted that Russian and Indian leaders will visit the Zvezda shipyard to familiarize themselves with the “high-tech shipbuilding industry.” In addition, according to the ambassador, a joint dinner awaits the leaders at the end of the day.

In anticipation of a meeting with Russian President Modi in an interview with TASS spoke about a particularly trusting relationship with Putin.

“We sit together and talk, walk and talk. There is a special chemistry in our relations, a special ease, ”the Indian Prime Minister explained.

He also expressed hope that within the framework of the WEF he will be able to discuss many issues with the Russian leader.

Recall that the fifth Eastern Economic Forum, which will take place on September 4-6, will bring together heads of state and government of foreign countries, heads of large Russian and international companies, leading politicians and experts.

The partnership between Russia and India is strategic and especially privileged, because it is the most stable and “did not survive sharp recessions,” Boris Volkhonsky, associate professor at the Institute of Asian and African Studies at Moscow State University, said in a conversation with RT.

“This cooperation has developed very productively. Russia and India have traditionally had friendly relations. The partnership took on a privileged form, as both countries wanted to emphasize the special nature of their ties, ”the analyst said.

  • The campus of the Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU) on Russky Island on the eve of the V Eastern Economic Forum
  • RIA News
  • © Alexander Kryazhev

According to Volkhonsky, Modi’s position within the country is very strong - now he is trying to make India a regional power. And in this regard, a meeting with the Russian leader, as well as participation in the Eastern Economic Forum, are very important for him, the expert believes.

“The Indian side wants to protect itself in the face of growing competition between China and the United States, balancing on the brink of a trade war. If such a confrontation begins, the consequences will be felt not only by India, but also by countries around the world, ”Volkhonsky said.

Systematic cooperation

The issue of energy cooperation is a priority area of ​​the Russian-Indian partnership, it will be discussed at the upcoming meeting between Putin and Modi, the Kremlin press service reports

Relations between Russia and India in the energy sector will receive new development at the upcoming Eastern Economic Forum. This was announced by the Indian Minister of oil, natural gas and steel industry Dharmendra Pradhan in an interview published on September 2, The Times of India.

According to him, in Vladivostok it is planned to sign several preliminary Russian-Indian agreements, including those related to cooperation in the oil and gas sector.

“A joint statement on comprehensive energy cooperation will be made. The final roadmap will be signed. Also at the company level, memorandums of understanding will be concluded. Our delegation is conducting the appropriate preparations, ”said Pradhan.

According to the Indian Minister, New Delhi plans to buy crude oil from Russia. He also added that large companies in India, in particular, Tata Power, SAIL, NMDC, Jindal, are already starting to invest in projects in the Far East or are considering such an opportunity.

“Our energy partnership is long-standing and reliable. Russia has invested about $ 13 billion in India. We invested approximately $ 7-8 billion in Russia. Investments in the Russian exploration sector are also being discussed, ”the politician emphasized.

In addition, Pradhan said that “commercial aspects” of India’s participation in large-scale projects, including in the Arctic region, are currently being discussed.

  • Indian Minister of Oil, Natural Gas and Steel Industry Dharmendra Pradhan
  • Reuters
  • © Shailesh Andrade

In addition to the oil and gas industry, Moscow and New Delhi are cooperating in the field of peaceful atom. The main project in this direction is the construction of the Kudankulam NPP in India. In the normal mode, blocks No. 1 and No. 2 are already operating, the construction of the second and third phases of the station is underway.

Russian-Indian energy cooperation is developing steadily, says Boris Volkhonsky.

“For India, one of the leading hydrocarbon consumers in the world after China and the USA, it is important to diversify the sources of such supplies,” the expert noted.

For this reason, New Delhi is interested in joint development of hydrocarbons with Russia on the Arctic shelf and the Far East, Volkhonsky believes. In his opinion, Putin and Modi will address this issue at the upcoming meeting.

“India joined the Arctic Council as an observer and attaches great importance to the development of its projects in the Arctic,” the analyst said.

"I do not intend to abandon the S-400"

Another key issue in the upcoming talks between Putin and Modi will be partnership in the field of security and military-technical cooperation. This is stated in a message posted on the official website of the Russian president.

Recall that in early October 2018, Vladimir Putin, during his visit to New Delhi, signed an agreement with Narendra Modi to supply five regiments of the S-400 anti-aircraft missile system in the amount of $ 5.43 billion.

Washington has repeatedly expressed its dissatisfaction with the deal.

“As for the S-400, we called on our allies and partners, including India, to abandon transactions with Russia that could entail the imposition of sanctions in accordance with the CAATSA law,” the State Department said at the end of June.

Recall that the law “On countering America’s adversaries through sanctions” (Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, CAATSA) was signed by US President Donald Trump on August 2, 2017. The document provides for the extension of restrictive measures against Russia, Iran and the DPRK adopted by previous administrations of the United States, as well as the introduction of additional sanctions.

India last fall announced that, despite Washington’s threats, it would not change its independent policy. The corresponding statement was made by the Chief of the General Staff of the Indian Army, Lieutenant General Bipin Ravat.

“Yes, we are aware that sanctions can be applied against us, but we are pursuing an independent policy,” the chief of the Indian General Staff explained.

  • SAM S-400
  • RIA News
  • © Alexey Malgavko

He also added that the Indian side is interested in the supply of other systems of Russian weapons, in particular, aircraft.

On June 30, Russia signed with India contracts for the purchase of New Delhi about 1 thousand aviation missiles for various purposes. This was reported in the press service of the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation.

As noted by Boris Volkhonsky, the likelihood that the upcoming talks between Putin and Modi will focus on the details of the supply of the S-400 is extremely high.

“We see an example of Turkey, which did not succumb to pressure from Washington. And India in this case does not intend to give up and refuse to supply S-400 air defense systems. New Delhi is always looking for the best combination of price and quality. In this sense, Americans cannot offer anything better than Russian anti-aircraft missile systems, ”the analyst emphasized.

"General danger"

In addition to bilateral cooperation, the leaders will also discuss issues on the international agenda, in particular, the fight against international terrorism, the situation in the Middle East and North Africa, primarily in Syria, the situation in Afghanistan, and the state of affairs around the Iranian nuclear program. This was reported by the Kremlin press service.

In addition, according to analysts, amid the aggravated situation between India and Pakistan, leaders can discuss the situation in the South Asian region.

Recall that in early August, the upper house of the Indian parliament adopted a resolution that repeals article 370 of the Constitution, which guarantees the state of Jammu and Kashmir a special autonomous status. In response to the actions of the Indian side, Pakistan reduced the level of diplomatic relations with New Delhi and suspended cooperation in the field of trade.

Earlier, on February 26, Indian air forces attacked militant camps on the border that divides India and Pakistan in disputed Kashmir. The next day, the Pakistani army shot down two Indian Air Force planes and arrested two Indian pilots. In March, the parties fired at each other's positions in Kashmir.

Given that relations between India and Pakistan have escalated even further, Putin and Modi can discuss the situation in South Asia, Olga Solodkova, Associate Professor, HSE Department of Oriental Studies, believes

“The heads of state are likely to exchange views on this topic, since the Indo-Pakistani conflict is a serious problem between the two nuclear powers, negatively affecting the entire region,” the expert said in a conversation with RT.

  • Indian Army Soldiers
  • Reuters
  • © Danish Ismail

According to Boris Volkhonsky, at the talks, the leaders of Russia and India will pay special attention to the topic of international terrorism, since this is a “common danger to states."

“In this regard, the international agenda of the meeting between Putin and Modi includes the situation in Afghanistan. Since elections are coming in the republic, now everyone has stood still in anticipation of how the foreign and domestic policies of this country can change, ”the analyst explained.

Volkhonsky also added that, although India is not directly involved in the Syrian conflict, it nevertheless pays due attention to this aspect.

“New Delhi is interested in preventing the negative consequences of the war in the SAR for other countries, in particular, the spread of terrorist groups. Therefore, the Indian position in relation to the actions of Russia in the Middle East is benevolent, ”the expert concluded.