Moscow [Russia], December 5 (ANI): Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India could mark a milestone for new initiatives and measures, and an opportunity for Moscow and New Delhi to explore collaboration in areas such as IT and AI to address trade imbalances and tap into undeveloped sectors, said Yaroslav Lissovolik, founder of Brics+ Analytics and member of the Russian International Affairs Council.
Lissovolik described the visit as a “crucial juncture” in the development of economic ties between the two countries. He said growing cooperation in international fora like the G20 and BRICS demonstrates productive partnership and noted several avenues to correct trade imbalances.
“I think some of the possible solutions include mutual trade liberalization, the possibility to look into greater presence of Indian goods in the markets of BRICS economies—agriculture, pharmaceuticals,” he told ANI. He added that services, especially IT and AI-related services, remain an underexplored area that could help even out imbalances: “Another important sphere that hasn’t been really targeted to a greater degree before is services and the possibility to cooperate and trade in the services sector—including in areas that have to do with IT, AI related services.”
Lissovolik said the summit could be another milestone introducing new initiatives to deepen and broaden the bilateral relationship, benefiting not only India and Russia but also the Global South and BRICS members.
Defence sources said talks during the visit would also cover the sale of around 280 missiles for S-400 air-defence systems, which were reportedly used successfully against Pakistan Air Force jets and spy planes in May. The project would involve around 100 of the 272 planes in the Indian Air Force fleet and would be separate from the indigenous upgrade of 84 Su-30s to be undertaken by Indian agencies such as Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.
Another potential acquisition under discussion is more than 300 R-37 air-to-air missiles, capable of striking targets at over 200 km, which would bolster India’s beyond-visual-range capabilities relative to adversaries operating Chinese and American systems. Talks are also expected on purchases of the S-400 and S-500 long-range air-defence systems that India has sought following their reported success in Operation Sindoor.
India is also likely to push for timely delivery of the remaining two S-400 squadrons by Russian manufacturer Almaz-Antey in the next financial year, as per agreed timelines. The Verba very short-range air-defence system is also expected to be on the agenda.
Speaking to ANI about trade ties, ORF Fellow Aleksei Zakharov said the summit will focus on expanding economic partnership: “The main effort is to identify new avenues for economic ties, facilitate bilateral trade, and introduce mechanisms that will allow Indian exporters to ramp up shipments to Russia and interest in new areas like ship-building and civil aviation.”
Four years after their last in-person meeting on Indian soil, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin are set to meet again in New Delhi on Friday—a meeting carrying symbolic weight and strategic significance as the two leaders seek to recalibrate their longstanding relationship amid shifting global dynamics. (ANI)
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