India, Russia Sign Defense and Other Deals
21 December 2010
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, left, and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh shake hands before talks in New Delhi, 21 Dec 2010
The most sought-after accord sealed between India and Russia Tuesday is for the joint development of fifth-generation fighter aircraft.
India wants to purchase about 300 of these planes for its air force. The agreement is estimated to be worth about $30 billion, over the next ten years.
The two countries will also pursue a deal for Russia to build two additional generating units at a nuclear power plant in the southern state, Tamil Nadu, where it is already building two reactors.
Securing defense and civil nuclear deals was on top of the agenda of the Russian president's visit. As India's relations have warmed with the United States and other Western countries, New Delhi has stepped up defense purchases from the United States, Europe and Israel in recent years. This has prompted Russia to lobby hard to retain its position as New Delhi's traditional defense supplier.
At a news conference with the Russian leader, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh reaffirmed New Delhi's close ties with its old ally.
"Russia is a time-tested friend of India that has stood by us in our times of need in the past," Singh said. "Ours is a very special and privileged, strategic partnership. It is a partnership that has and will continue to develop independent of our relations with other countries."
最新
2013-11-27
2013-11-27
2013-11-27
2013-11-27
2013-11-27
2013-11-27