Moscow:
Russia on Monday stated implementation of its ongoing defence bargains with India such as the provide of a batch of S-400 missile systems is advancing properly notwithstanding the threat of US sanctions.
Russian ambassador Nikolay Kudashev, at a press conference, appeared to criticise the US sanctions on Turkey for procuring the S-400 missile systems below a 2.5 billion dollars deal, saying Moscow does not recognise such unilateral actions.
“We do not recognise or welcome unilateral sanctions as a language or tool or instrument of interstate or international relations, other than those applied by the UN Security Council, this is also the case of Turkey,” he stated.
“As far as India is concerned, we share the same platform. India’s position is also crystal clear. No sanctions are acknowledged other than those imposed by the UN Security Council. Whatever the future is, we believe that our ties could withstand the coming challenges,” he stated.
Mr Kudashev was asked to comment on the US sanctions on Turkey below the provisions of the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).
Russian Deputy Chief of the mission Roman Babushkin stated the US is making use of the sanction regime on arms purchases from Russia as “illegal tools”.
Questioned whether or not Russia expects the Biden administration to lift the sanctions regime, Mr Kusashev stated it is tricky to predict, adding “let it first announce publicly its plans and foreign policy vision.”
“As far as current deals are concerned, we are advancing well, including with S-400 supplies. If relevant decisions to start works related to Ka-226 helicopters and AK-203 rifles production are expedited, soon we will see good progress, which is especially important due to a deep interest expressed by the Indian armed forces,” he stated.
In October 2018, India had signed a 5 billion dollars deal with Russia to obtain 5 units of the S-400 air defence missile systems, in spite of a warning from the Trump administration that going ahead with the contract might invite US sanctions.
Last year, India produced the 1st tranche of payment of about 800 million dollars to Russia for the missile systems.
The S-400 is recognized as Russia’s most sophisticated lengthy-variety surface-to-air missile defence program.
In October 2016, India and Russia had finalised a broad agreement to set up a joint venture amongst Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and two Russian defence majors for procuring 200 Kamov Ka-226T choppers for the Indian armed forces.
According to the understanding, 60 Kamov-226T helicopters will be supplied to India in fly-away situation though 140 will be manufactured in India. Russia had agreed to make sure transfer of technologies to India as element of the pact.
India and Russia finalised the deal for manufacturing AK-203 rifles through Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s check out to Moscow in September.
“Our unparalleled defence cooperation based on real exchange of technologies and joint ventures helps India to advance local production and expand its military export potential. We are working on co-development and co-production of equipment, components and spare parts, improving after-sales service system and deepening localisation programme,” the Russian envoy stated.
He also stated Russia was aiming to be a single of the largest exhibitors at the Aero-India 2021 in Bengaluru.
“We plan to demonstrate Su-57, Su-35 and MiG-35 fighter jets, helicopters Ka-52, Ka-226, Mi-17B-5, Mi-26 as well S-400 and Buk systems and many other new items and equipment,” he stated.
The envoy stated India-Russia ties have turn into an integral element of the improvement approaches of the two nations.
“Russia as of now is the only foreign country so deeply involved in the Indian nuclear power sector, contributing to the national energy security. Our successful flagship project is the Russian-designed Kudankulam nuclear power plant in Tamil Nadu,” he stated.