Russia-India Treaty Tipping Balance of Power on Subcontinent?

With news that the Russians and Indians are indeed swapping adoption papers to establish custody of their aircraft carrier, does this affect the balance of power on the subcontinent? we've discussed this before, and so have other people...

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin will arrive in New Delhi on Thursday on a two-day visit during, which the two sides are likely to conclude the long-delayed agreement on aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov and sign defence deals worth USD 4 billion.

Coming three months after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to Russia in December 2009, Putin’s India trip has a wider agenda like taking bilateral technological and energy cooperation to a new level.

Diplomatic sources said the two countries are keen on developing bilateral interaction in hi-technology as Russia has launched a major plan for its innovative modernisation.

Besides the deals worth USD 4 billion, including the final delivery agreement for Admiral Gorshkov, the two sides will also sign the final agreement for joint manufacture of fifth generation fighters, local media reported.

Acording to the delivery agreement for Admiral Gorshkov, an irritant in the bilateral ties, New Delhi would shell out an additional USD 2.35 billion for the upgradation of the carrier and training of Indian naval crews, it said.

Looks like we need to update our battle lines from late last year.



By: Brant