‘2+2' Dialogue: AK-203 Rifle Deal Among 28 Pacts Inked - India, Russia To Expand Ties In Dealing With Major Challenges

India mentions ‘unprovoked’ aggression by China along northern border

NEW DELHI: India and Russia on Monday vowed to ramp up cooperation in confronting major challenges such as terrorism and the situation in Afghanistan during a summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin as the two countries inked 28 pacts, including a major pact for joint production of over six lakh AK-203 rifles in a facility in Uttar Pradesh.

The two sides largely focused on stepping up cooperation in key areas including defence and military, civil nuclear energy, space, transport and connectivity, energy, trade and health.

The statement said both sides reaffirmed their commitment to the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership and underscored that as major powers with common responsibilities, this important relationship continues to be an anchor of global peace and stability.

It is learnt that the Indian side raised the eastern Ladakh border row and there was a discussion on the S-400 missile defence deal. While there were nine government-to-government agreements, 19 others were commercial pacts in an array of areas.

Separately, talking to the media, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the missile deal has a very important meaning for the Indian defence capability and it is being implemented despite the US attempting to “undermine” the cooperation. The joint statement said both sides exchanged views on the Covid-19 pandemic and highly appreciated the ongoing bilateral cooperation especially with respect to the ‘Sputnik-V’ vaccine.