The 19th India-Russia Bilateral Annual Summit was held in New Delhi. Vladimir Putin was received by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj for the two day visit. India and Russia sealed the USD 5 billion S-400 air defence system deal and signed eight pacts in areas ranging from defence, nuclear energy, space and economy. “Our countries have mutual benefits in supporting struggle against terrorism, Afghanistan & Indo-Pacific events, climate change; & organisations like SCO, BRICS, G20 & ASEAN. We have agreed to continue cooperation to these international organisations,” said PM Modi. A crucial MoU was signed between ISRO and the ‘ROSCOSMOS’ on joint activities in the field of human spaceflight programme Gaganyaan. President Putin said “We will strengthen cooperation in industry and investment, agriculture, pharmaceuticals etc. Together, we will combat the menace of terrorism and drug trafficking.” Speaking over Indo-Russia bilateral trade ties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also said that Russia can become our partner in the new and renewable energy sector. He said that the world has changed but the relationship between India and Russia has remained same and the trade between the two countries has risen to 20 per cent in 2017-18.
