PM Modi says `old friend` Russia part of India`s anti-terror war; finalises `game changer` S-400 Triumf deal

Panaji: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President held bilateral talks on Saturday on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Goa and sealed a number of big ticket defence deals including purchase of missile systems, frigates and joint production of helicopters.

India and Russia signed 16 agreements across multiple sectors.

Issuing a joint press conference along with Putin, PM Modi hailed decades-long Indo-Russia friendship.

Addressing the media, the PM said, “An old friend is better than two new friends.”

Heaping praise on the Russian President, PM Modi said: “I am aware of your deep affection for India. Your personal attention has been a source of strength in our relationship.”

“In a complex and changing global context, your leadership has provided stability and substance to our strategic partnership,” the PM added.

Lauding Moscow's efforts on denouncing terrorism, PM Modi said, “We deeply appreciate Russia’s understanding and support of our actions to fight cross-border terrorism that threatens our entire region.”

“We deeply appreciate Russia's understanding and support of our actions to fight cross-border terrorism, that threatens our regions, adding, “We both affirmed the need for zero tolerance in dealing with terrorists and their supporters,” he asserted.

Praising Indo-Russia relations, PM Modi said: “Our close collaboration at United Nations, BRICS, East Asia Summit, G20 and SCO makes our partnership truly global, both in its scope and coverage.”

“We are celebrating and building on our past achievements. Close friendship has been source of strength, driver of peace and factor of stability,” Modi added.

odi said the "highly productive" outcomes of the meeting clearly establish the special and privileged nature of strategic partnership between the two countries.

"They also lay the foundations for deeper defence and economic ties in years ahead. The agreements on manufacturing of Kamov 226T helicopters; constructions of frigates; and acquisition and building of other defence platforms are in synergy with India's technology and security priorities," he said.

The two sides signed an Inter Governmental Agreement for the purchase of S-400 'Triumf' long-range air defence missile system which has the capability to destroy incoming hostile aircraft, missiles and even drones at ranges of up to 400 km.

Another important deal is for four Admiral Grigorovich-class (Project 11356) guided-missile stealth frigates.

The two leaders also inaugurated units 3 and 4 of the Kudankulam nuclear plant after India and Russia signed 16 agreements, including on energy, defence and economic cooperation, and also announced deals across different sectors.

PM Modi said they have agreed to work on an annual military industrial conference that will allow stakeholders on both sides to institute and push collaboration.

"These projects are new chapters in a long history of strong and diverse defence partnership that both sides can take much pride in," he said.

He said, "We are working to model a partnership that befits our common ambition and meets our shared goals for the twenty-first (21st) century.

"Our close friendship has given clear direction, fresh impulse, stronger momentum and rich content to our ties.In the emerging regional and global landscape, it has been a source of strength and substance, a driver of peace and a factor of stability."

On cooperation in atomic sector, he said the dedication of Kudankulum 2 and laying of foundation concrete of Kundankulum 3 and 4 were examples of tangible results of India-Russia cooperation in the field.

Agreements were also signed for developing smart cities in Andhra Pradesh and Haryana, and for developing transport logistics systems for such cities.

Another important agreement was signed for the joint study of a gas pipeline to India from Russia.

Both sides agreed to extend cooperation in railways development and to increase the speed of trains between Nagpur and Secunderabad.

An MoU was signed between India's ISRO and the Russian state space agency on collaboration in space technology.

An agreement was signed on cooperation on international information security.

Another MoU was signed for expansion of bilateral trade and economic cooperation between India and Russia.

A road map for celebrating 70 years of India-Russia diplomatic ties was also announced.

Another announcement pertained to cooperation between the two countries on international issues.