Why India and Russia ties are important

DEFENCE

India-Russia military ties have evolved from a buyer-seller framework to one involving joint research, development and production of advanced defence technologies and systems S-400 air defence systems

Joint cooperation and production of the BrahMos missile system

Licenced production in India of Su-30-MKI aircraft and T-90 tanks

Joint venture to manufacture Ka-226T helicopters Supply of MiG-29-K aircraft

Supply of Kamov-31 and Mi-17 helicopters Upgrade of MiG-29 aircraft

Supply of Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher Smerch

TRADE

According to Russian Federal Customs Service, bilateral trade in 2016 amounted to $7.71 billion, with imports from Russia amounting to $5.32 billion

Major exports from India

Pharmaceuticals, tea, coffee, tobacco, machinery, mechanical appliances, organic chemicals, electrical machinery and equipment

Major items of import

Pearls, precious and semi-precious stones and metals, nuclear power equipment, electrical machinery and equipment, mineral oil and products, iron and steel, optical, precision and surgical equipment

NUCLEAR

Russia recognises India as a country with advanced nuclear technology with an impeccable non-proliferation record, and both the sides agreed to actively work towards localisation of manufacturing in India under “Make in India”

The Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP) is n being built in India with Russian cooperation, with KKNPP Units 1 and 2 already operational According to Moscow-based think tank Valdai n

Club, President Vladimir Putin has plans to sell as many as 25 nuclear reactors to India

The overall India-Russia nuclear cooperation agreement includes:

Transfer of nuclear power reactors

Fuel supply agreement for both supplied reactors and other reactors operating in India, including both natural uranium and enriched uranium

Right to process spent fuel

Fuel supply assurance under all circumstances. In principle, agreement to transfer reprocessing technology and enriched technology