What lies behind arms talks between India’s Modi and Russia’s Putin?
Al JazeeraRussia and India have a long history of collaborating on defence. India’s prime minister, Narendra Modi, is making his first visit to Russia since the invasion of Ukraine to discuss issues that include defence and weapons deals. The support would be practical but would stop short of India publicly backing Russia’s war effort. A day before Modi left for Moscow this week, Russia’s state export company, Rostec, signed an agreement to manufacture advanced armour-piercing “Mango” tank shells in India for the T-90 tank. Russian joint ventures with India also include making 35,000 Kalashnikov AK203 assault rifles for the Indian army, the licensed production of advanced T-90 tanks and Sukhoi Su-30-MKI fourth-generation fighter jets and maintenance facilities for India’s MiG-29 fighter jets.