PM Modi to host Russian President for one-to-one on December 6
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will host Russian President Vladimir Putin for a one-to-one bilateral meeting followed by dinner at his Lok Kalyan Marg (LKM) residence on December 6. Amid rising India’s border disputes with China, the New Delhi and the Moscow government may develop new strategies in the defense sector. Russia plays a very balanced role in India-China issues.
The two plus two dialogues between India and Russian defense and external affairs ministers are expected to be held on the same day before the summit.
According to the media report, President Putin may focus on hardcore discussions with PM Modi on Afghanistan, Indo-Pacific, strategic stability, climate change, Middle-East, and terrorism.
Although India and Russia are going to sign several agreements on that day, the two countries are unfazed about the orchestrated brouhaha over the Modi government acquiring the much-needed S-400 missile systems from Moscow.
The relevance of S-400 systems to India assumes much importance now as Chinese PLA has already deployed the same Russian systems at Ngari Gar Gunsa airbase, next to Demchok on Ladakh LAC, and at Nyingchi airbase next to Arunachal Pradesh LAC. The PLA as of now is fully deployed at the Ladakh LAC with no less than three divisions of troops, missiles, and rocket regiments with the Air Force on standby.
China has deployed two S-400 systems towards India and three towards protecting Beijing and the East coast against Taiwan. It is already in discussion with the Russians to acquire the S-500 systems which are in the last stages of development.
One must understand that the purchase of five S-400 systems was contracted early in 2018 when other options were not on the table. It is a must requirement to counter China which has had a formidable arsenal on the LAC since May 2020.
(_Vinayak)
