India and Russia agreed to form specific working groups for aftersales support of key defence platforms and intensify efforts to finalise a cooperation programme for 2021-2030.
The Agreement on Reciprocal Logistics Support (ARLS): India and Russia are finalising a defence agreement that will simplify interoperability and enable military platforms to receive support and supplies across bases in both nations- Agreement on Reciprocal Logistics Support (ARLS).
S-400 deal: Another major issue will be the purchase of the S-400 air-defence missile systems, over which the U.S. is continuing a tough stance with respect to waiver from sanctions under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act.
The deliveries are expected to begin by 2020-end, 24 months after the signing of the contract, and that is when the sanctions are expected to kick in.
High-level visits: There have been a flurry of high-level visits between the two countries surrounding the EEF in which energy cooperation in Russia’s Far East was in focus.
Kudamkulam Nuclear Plant: Russia completes core supplies for Kudankulam unit 3. The first unit joined the grid in October 2013 and the second in August 2016. The third and fourth units are under construction. The contracts have been signed for the construction of the fifth and sixth units, and the preparatory works are in progress.
Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU): Russia is looking forward to India concluding a new Free Trade Agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).
Ex INDRA 19: The air force component of ‘Ex INDRA 19’, a joint exercise between India and Russia, successfully concluded.
