Modi-Putin bilateral talks ahead of BRICS summit in Goa

New Delhi:Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold detailed bilateral discussion with Russian President Vladimir Putin next week on a range of issues including cooperation in the areas of defence, security, trade and investment, a day ahead of the BRICS summit in Goa to be held on October 16.

The meeting between the two comes in the backdrop of the the first ever joint Russia-Pakistan military exercise recently.

It also comes at a time when India is undertaking large-scale defence modernisation programme involving replacing old Russian equipment with modern ones from the country itself and from other nations.

Defence, security, regional issues, besides trade and investment cooperation will be discussed during the bilateral meeting, official sources said.

Some of the most important defence deals currently under discussion are purchase of 5 S-400 ‘Triumf’ long-range air defence missile systems, Kamov-28 helicopters and upgradation of the Sukhoi 30-MKIs.

Another project under focus would be the long pending joint development of the fifth generation fighter aircraft (FGFA).

India is also looking at leasing an Akula-class nuclear submarine from Russia.

Modi will also have bilateral meetings with leaders of other BRICS countries.

While he will hold talks with Brazilian President Michel Temer on October 17 on important bilateral and regional issues, the “slot” for his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping was still being worked out.

During Modi-Xi meeting, issues such as India’s NSG membership bid and China blocking the banning of JeM chief Masood Azhar are likely to be discussed by the Indian side.

The two leaders had last met on the sidelines of G-20 in Hangzhou in September.

PTI