The King, 88, had undergone gallbladder surgery in 2020
Russia and India are discussing “additional” production of Russian military equipment in India, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday, in a move that could irk the US which frowns upon countries engaged in defence trade with Moscow.
Speaking at a joint news conference with India’s Foreign Minister S Jaishankar, Lavrov did not specify what kind of equipment could be made in India.
Officials from both countries have said their governments have been discussing for some years the possibility of making Russian military helicopters in India.
“We have confirmed our determination towards the development of military-technical cooperation,” Lavrov told the briefing, adding there was an inter-governmental commission dealing with the subject.
“It has its own plans, and the prospects for additional production of Russian military equipment on India’s territory are under discussion,” he said.
India has made Russian MiG fighter planes and Su-30 jets under licence and the two countries have collaborated to develop and produce supersonic BrahMos cruise missiles in India.
While joint defence production would fit with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s flagship make-in-India programme, it could rile the United States, which has been targeting Russia’s defence and intelligence sectors with trade sanctions for Moscow’s annexation of Crimea from Ukraine and US intelligence findings it has meddled in the 2016 US presidential election.
Lavrov said the US has been trying to discourage countries from buying Russian weapons, but US objections did not feature during his talks with Jaishankar, which had focused on deepening military ties.
Washington has already warned New Delhi that it could face sanctions if it goes through with the purchase of Russian S-400 surface-to-air missile systems under a deal struck in 2018, though it has not made the same threat over other Indian arms purchases from Russia.
Last year, the US sanctioned Turkey for buying S-400 systems. India made an initial payment of $800 million in 2019, and the first set of missile batteries is expected to be delivered towards the end of this year.
Jaishankar said ties with Russia were time-tested and that the two sides also discussed a summit meeting between Modi and President Vladimir Putin later this year.
“India-Russia ties are characterised by consistent ability to identify and update shared interests,” he said.
Russia has traditionally been India’s main arms supplier but Delhi has turned to the United States and Israel in recent years for supplies of attack helicopters, transport planes and high-tech drones and other surveillance equipment.
The King, 88, had undergone gallbladder surgery in 2020
Delhi posted 224-4 courtesy of a 113-run stand between Pant (88) and fellow left-hander Axar Patel, who hit 66
The move is seen as part of Ukraine's efforts to reinforce its army as soldiers struggle to hold positions against Russia
The Jamaican currently holds world records in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m with times of 9.58s, 19.19s and 36.84s respectively
Total property income posted year-on-year growth of 10% to $74m, highest value ever
All official donation channels however remain open through the outlets announced by government agencies
The Starlight Park is a four-building freehold community in Meydan
The 22-time major champion admits his farewell tour hasn't been as enjoyable as he would have hoped