A 2+2 Game Changer

Moscow and Delhi signed agreements for Kalashnikov rifles and cooperation on military technology

New Delhi: India signed four agreements with Russia Monday as the two countries began their first ever 2+2 ministerial dialogue.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Russian counterpart Sergey Shoigu met in New Delhi and signed two contracts for manufacture of nearly 6 lakh AK 203 rifles under a joint venture in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh, which was cleared by the government, finally, just days ago. The deal is worth over Rs 5000 crore.

Singh however used the meet to highlight the issue of China’s aggressive posture along the norther border. He said that “the pandemic, the extra-ordinary militarisation and expansion of armament in our neighbourhood and the completely unprovoked aggression on our northern border since early summer of 2020 have thrown in several challenges.”

He said India is “confident of overcoming these challenges with its strong political will and inherent capability of its people”.

In addition to the agreement for the Kalashnikov rifles, the two countries also signed an agreement for military technology cooperation for the next decade, from 2021 to 2031, and the Protocol of the 20th India-Russia Inter- Governmental Commission on Military & Military Technical Cooperation (IRIGCM& MTC).

The 2+2 was preceded by the IRIGC-M&MTC meeting, in which Singh led the Indian delegation, which also included Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, the three service chiefs and other senior officials of the Defence Ministry.

Singh said in his opening remarks at the meeting that Russia is India’s long-standing special and privileged strategic partner with time-tested relations based on common interests in multilateralism, global peace and prosperity, mutual understanding and trust.

He appreciated Russia’s “strong support for India” and asserted that the close cooperation is not targeted against another country. Defence cooperation, he said, was one of the most important pillars of the bilateral partnership.

The IRIGC-M&MTC “is a well-established mechanism since last two decades” and provides “a platform to discuss and implement mutually agreed agenda for defence cooperation”.

Singh described the first-ever India-Russia 2+2 ministerial dialogue as a special initiative, taken by the leaders of the two countries, which signals the higher relevance and necessity for cooperation between the two countries.

Singh tweeted after meeting Shoigu that the two leaders had a “productive, fruitful and substantial bilateral discussions on defence cooperation” and added, “India values its special and privileged strategic partnership with Russia”.

He said in a second tweet, “India deeply appreciates Russia’s strong support for India. We hope that our cooperation will bring peace, prosperity and stability to the entire region.”

Singh also stated that he was “glad” that a “number of Agreements/ Contracts/Protocols were signed pertaining to small arms and military cooperation”.

During the 2+2 Singh also said, “recognising that its development needs are colossal and that its defence challenges are legitimate, real and immediate, India seeks partners who are sensitive and responsive to India’s expectations and requirements”.

He expressed appreciation that “despite all these challenges, India-Russia defence engagements progressed in an unprecedented manner in recent times” and said he was hopeful that Russia will remain a major partner for India in these changing circumstances. -(PTI)