Nuances & complexities as PM Modi speaks to Putin but addresses the world, friendly & sceptical West

Summary

The video script discusses Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Moscow and his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. It highlights the nuances of Modi's statements, emphasizing India's strategic autonomy and the delicate balance between India's alignment with the West and its special relationship with Russia. Modi addressed global issues like terrorism, the COVID-19 pandemic, and ongoing wars, while also discussing the trade imbalance and critical armament supplies, particularly the delayed S400 missile system, between India and Russia.

Takeaways

• 😀 The video script discusses the importance of the India-Russia relationship and the nuances of Prime Minister Modi's visit to Moscow.
• 🏆 Modi emphasizes the long-standing relationship between India and Russia, highlighting the 17 meetings with Putin in the past 10 years and 22 in the past 25 years.
• 🤝 The script mentions Modi's congratulatory remarks to Putin on his election victory, and thanks Putin for congratulating him on his own re-election, showcasing mutual respect.
• 🔍 The discussion points out the strategic autonomy of India choosing Russia for Modi's first bilateral visit, amidst geopolitical complexities and India's alignment with the West.
• 🕊️ Modi expresses solidarity with Russia on the issue of terrorism, referencing past terror attacks in Russia and India's own struggle with terrorism over the past 40-50 years.
• 🌐 The script touches on the global impact of the India-Russia relationship, particularly in terms of cushioning the world from food, fuel, and fertilizer crises.
• 🛑 The video addresses the criticism and skepticism in the Western world regarding India's relationship with Russia, especially in light of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
• 🗣️ Modi's statement in Moscow is highlighted as significant for its candidness and the respectful exchange of views on Ukraine, indicating a nuanced stance rather than outright solidarity with Russia.
• 📉 The script points out the trade imbalance between India and Russia, with India's oil imports from Russia accounting for the majority of the trade, leading to a significant trade deficit.
• 🚀 The delay in the delivery of the S400 missile defense systems to India is a critical concern discussed, with only two out of five ordered batteries delivered so far.
• 🔧 The script also mentions the issues with the resupply of spares for Russian and Soviet-origin equipment, and the potential for joint production of these spares in India.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video script?

The main topic of the video script is the summit meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin, focusing on the nuances of their discussions, the India-Russia relationship, and the geopolitical implications of their interactions.

Why is the India-Russia relationship significant according to the script?

The India-Russia relationship is significant due to its long-standing history, the depth of strategic partnership, and its impact on global geopolitics, including the trade of oil and arms, and India's role in maintaining peace and stability.

What is the S400 missile battery mentioned in the script?

The S400 missile battery is a top-of-the-line surface-to-air missile system that India had ordered from Russia. It is critical for India's long-range air defense capabilities.

What issues were raised regarding the S400 missile battery supplies to India?

The issues raised include delays in the delivery of the S400 missile batteries, with only two out of the five ordered batteries having been delivered so far, and concerns about the indefinite delay of the remaining batteries due to Russia's consumption of the equipment in the Ukraine conflict.

What was the reaction of the Western world to Prime Minister Modi's visit to Moscow?

The Western world expressed skepticism and criticism, particularly due to the timing of the visit coinciding with the attack on a children's hospital in Ukraine and the public display of camaraderie between Modi and Putin.

How did Prime Minister Modi address the issue of the Ukraine conflict in his discussions with President Putin?

Prime Minister Modi had a free and open-hearted exchange of thoughts on Ukraine with mutual respect for each other's views. He acknowledged the disagreements and thanked Putin for allowing a candid discussion.

What is the current state of India's trade with Russia?

The current state of India's trade with Russia is heavily loaded in favor of Russia, with India importing a significant amount of oil, resulting in a trade deficit of around $62 billion.

What are the challenges faced by India in its relationship with Russia as mentioned in the script?

The challenges include the delay in the supply of S400 missile batteries, trade imbalance heavily favoring Russia, issues with the resupply of spares for Russian and Soviet origin equipment, and the need to diversify the trade basket.

What was the context of the statement about 'never practice nunchucks in a crowded room' in the script?

The statement about 'never practice nunchucks in a crowded room' appears to be a humorous or cautionary remark made at the beginning of the script, possibly to illustrate the importance of context and caution in various situations, including diplomatic relations.

What is the significance of the statement 'savings is not investing' in the script?

The statement 'savings is not investing' is a financial caution, indicating that simply saving money is not the same as investing it in assets like mutual funds, which are subject to market risks and require careful consideration of scheme-related documents.

Outlines

00:00

🤝 Modi's Diplomatic Balancing Act in Moscow

The first paragraph sets the stage for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Moscow, highlighting the delicate balance India must maintain in its relations with both Russia and the West. Modi's visit is framed as an expression of strategic autonomy, yet it is also a tightrope walk given India's strategic alignment with Washington and the West. The paragraph also touches on Modi's and Putin's respective election victories, their history of meetings, and the significance of the India-Russia relationship. It ends with a teaser about the nuances of Modi's statements in Putin's presence and the issues of critical armament supplies, particularly the S400 missile defense system.

05:01

🔍 Modi's Statements and Western Skepticism

This paragraph delves into the specifics of Modi's statements during his visit, addressing the Western world's skepticism about India's relationship with Russia. Modi emphasizes the importance of India's purchases of Russian crude oil, which he argues has helped stabilize global fuel markets and control inflation. The paragraph also discusses the Ukraine crisis and Modi's candid discussion with Putin about the situation, highlighting the difference in views while maintaining mutual respect. Modi's statement that India's actions are within the law and not in violation of sanctions is a clear message to the West, amidst criticism from Ukrainian President Zelensky.

10:03

🕊️ Modi's Call for Peace and Dialogue

In this paragraph, Modi's emphasis on peace and dialogue as the only means to resolve complex problems is underscored. He speaks about the heartbreak caused by the death of innocent children due to conflict and terrorism, using this as a springboard to call for a resolution through talks rather than violence. Modi's message is directed not only to Putin but also to the Western audience, asserting India's position as a potential mediator for peace rather than a mere participant in boycotts against Russia.

15:03

📈 Trade Imbalances and Critical Supply Issues

The fourth paragraph discusses the trade imbalance between India and Russia, with India's oil imports creating a significant deficit. Modi raises the issue of expanding the trade basket and increasing access for Indian goods in Russia. Additionally, the paragraph addresses the critical issue of spare parts supply for Russian equipment and the delay in the delivery of the S400 missile defense system, which is crucial for India's air defense. The foreign secretary's briefing acknowledges these issues and suggests potential solutions, including joint production in India.

20:05

🚀 The S400 Crisis: Impact on India's Air Defense

The final paragraph focuses on the critical delay in the delivery of the S400 missile defense system to India. With only two out of the ordered five batteries delivered, India faces a crisis in its long-range air defense capabilities. The delay is attributed to Russia's consumption of the S400 systems in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The paragraph provides a detailed explanation of the S400 system's components and capabilities, emphasizing the importance of the system to India's defense strategy.

Keywords

💡Narendra Modi

Narendra Modi is the Prime Minister of India. His role is central to the video's theme as it discusses his visit to Moscow and the diplomatic interactions with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The script mentions Modi's statements and the nuances of his communication, indicating the significance of his leadership in the India-Russia relationship.

💡Vladimir Putin

Vladimir Putin is the President of Russia. The video discusses the diplomatic summit meeting between him and Prime Minister Modi, highlighting the importance of their dialogue in shaping the geopolitical landscape. Putin's reactions and body language during the meeting are also analyzed as part of the narrative.

💡Strategic Autonomy

Strategic autonomy refers to the ability of a nation to make independent decisions regarding its security and foreign policy. The video mentions India's strategic autonomy in choosing Russia for Modi's first bilateral visit, signifying the complexity of balancing relations with both the West and Russia.

💡Mutual Funds

Mutual funds are a type of investment vehicle that pools money from many investors to invest in a diversified portfolio of stocks, bonds, or other assets. The video script contrasts mutual fund investments with saving, emphasizing that they are subject to market risks and should be chosen wisely.

💡S400 Missile Batteries

The S400 missile batteries are a state-of-the-art surface-to-air missile system. The script discusses the delay in the delivery of these batteries to India from Russia, which is a critical issue for India's air defense capabilities. The delay is attributed to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

💡Trade Imbalance

Trade imbalance refers to a situation where the value of a country's imports from another country is significantly higher than its exports to that country. The video mentions the trade imbalance between India and Russia, with India having a large trade deficit due to substantial oil imports.

💡Geopolitics

Geopolitics is the study of the effects of geography and global political dynamics on international relations. The video discusses the geopolitical implications of Modi's visit to Moscow, including the tightrope walk of balancing relations with both the West and Russia.

💡Quad

The Quad refers to the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, a strategic alliance between the United States, India, Japan, and Australia. The script mentions India's alignment with the Quad, which is significant for Indian security and contrasts with its relationship with Russia.

💡Body Language

Body language involves the non-verbal cues and gestures that convey messages and emotions. The video script analyzes Putin's body language, particularly his foot movements, during the interaction with Modi as a way to interpret his reactions to the discussions.

💡Covid-19

Covid-19 is the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which has had a global impact. The video mentions the pandemic's role in causing trauma worldwide and contributing to global tension and conflict, setting the stage for discussions on international cooperation.

💡Fertilizer Crisis

The fertilizer crisis refers to a shortage or high demand for fertilizers that can affect agricultural productivity. The script notes that the India-Russia friendship helped cushion the impact of the fertilizer crisis, highlighting the importance of their trade relations.

Highlights

Legends advise against practicing nunchucks in crowded rooms and emphasize the importance of mutual fund investments over mere saving.

PM Narendra Modi's delayed summit meeting with Vladimir Putin in Moscow addresses substantive issues and makes significant statements.

The visit signifies strategic autonomy and the delicate balance India maintains between its alliances with Washington and the West, and its relationship with Russia.

Observations of Putin's body language during Modi's speech reveal little emotion, with notable movement when discussing the death of innocent children.

Modi acknowledges the unprecedented nature of his third electoral victory and thanks Putin for his congratulations.

India's 40-50 year struggle with terrorism is highlighted, drawing parallels with Russia's own experiences.

Modi and Putin's frequent meetings over the years underscore the depth of India-Russia relations.

The role of 'sutradhar' or the one who holds the stage is attributed to Putin, recognizing his long-term leadership in the strategic partnership.

Covid-19 and global warfare are discussed as sources of tension and conflict, with India-Russia friendship helping to mitigate food, fuel, and fertilizer crises.

India's import of crude oil from Russia and its impact on global fuel market stability is highlighted.

Modi's statement clarifies that while India and Russia have a special relationship, they have candid discussions about the Ukraine conflict, respecting each other's views.

The G20 Summit in India is mentioned as an opportunity to present the global South's expectations for peace, including the situation in Ukraine.

Modi emphasizes the heartbreaking nature of war, especially the death of innocent children, in a direct address to Putin.

The statement that bombs and bullets cannot resolve complex problems, advocating for talks and negotiations instead.

India's willingness to play a role in the process of restoring peace, as discussed in the candid talks with Putin.

The issue of trade imbalance between India and Russia, with a focus on diversifying the trade basket and increasing access for Indian goods.

Challenges with the supply of spares for Russian and Soviet origin equipment, and considerations for joint production in India.

The critical delay in the delivery of the S400 missile batteries to India, impacting the country's long-range air defense capabilities.

Transcripts

here's the 30second lesson on what

Legends know never practice nunchucks in

a crowded room never eat choli before a

road

trip always take your shirt off before

you IR

it don't take a call near a swimming

pool and don't forget saving is not

investing Legends don't just say they

invest in mutual funds mutual fund

Investments are subject to Market risks

read old scheme related documents

carefully

[Music]

prime minister Narendra Modi as we know

is in Moscow at his much delayed Summit

meeting a fact that he noted as he spoke

addressing Vladimir Putin in a in a

joint interaction televised interaction

where he said that we are meeting after

2 and a half years so on and so forth

however lots of substantive issues were

raised and lots of important statements

were made statements were made not just

in terms of statement to the Press but

also statements that India made to

Russia or Prime Minister Modi made to

Wladimir Putin and these are very

significant and why we will talk about

the nuances and complexities of the

prime minister's statement in the

presence of Wladimir Putin in some

detail and why we will take some time

picking the nuances from the

complexities of the very subtle and deaf

statement that the Prime Minister made

in the presence of Vladimir Putin let me

also tell you that there are also issues

between India and Russia particularly

issues of some critical Armament

supplies most important of which is the

delayed supply of the S400 batteries

that also I will come to towards the

conclusion of this episode so stay with

me I will give you some precise numbers

and scheduling challenges there as well

now India Russia relationship in any

case is a very substantive relationship

for India for the rest of the world but

Al for India and that is the reason we

now have a second successive episode of

katak clutter on Narendra modi's Moscow

visit the first one was the first one

was yesterday setting it up that was

1476 this is the successive one that's

because important things have been said

and done also there will be a fair bit

of at least some bit of opinion in this

one so please be warned in fact I will

get some of that opinion out of the way

right away front and that is our 50w

edit on this visit please read this it's

on your screen I will also read it out

for you it says choosing Russia for

prime minister modi's first bilateral

visit is a fine expression of strategic

autonomy good point in hard geopolitics

however it's the tightest of tight rope

walks India aligned strategically with

Washington and the West three decades

ago modi's decade only accelerated this

shift this is a hell of a contradiction

to manage so that is the tight Ro that

prime minister moodi is walking in

Moscow and you can see some of that in

fact a lot of that in what he said in in

Vladimir Putin's presence he was

speaking in Hindi it was

translated with breaks in Russian for

Vladimir Putin and see I tried to read

something on Vladimir Putin's face as

Prime Minister Modi was saying these

things to him but to tell you the truth

I'm not a reader of faces I'm not a

trained reader of faces but as as just

as it as as a journalist who's dealt

with a lot of people and who does try to

read faces at least journalistically I

found no emotion on Putin's face of any

kind in fact the only thing I noticed

was foot movement as the Western press

also keeps noticing all the time Putin

has a lot of foot movement at meetings

it's kind of nervous foot movement more

of his right foot however while we saw a

lot of his right foot movement in this

interaction it's only when Prime

Minister Modi said some of the tougher

things about the death of children

innocent children and innocent people

that you suddenly saw the left foot also

moving so that is if you if if you are

one of those who knows anything about

body language you can try and read

Vladimir Putin's body language I'm sure

there are lots of experts around the

world particularly in the western world

who make their living trying to do just

that reading Vladimir Putin's body

language that's my little observation

but that's that aside that is just an

aside what is it that Modi said Modi

said first of all first of all he said

that he was there after his

unprecedented Victory and thank Putin

for congratulating him on that Victory

so no question that he he's telling the

world that this is his third Victory

it's unprecedented for anybody to get

elected for a third time then he again

congratulates Putin for his victory in

the elections in March such as the

elections in Russia might be I think got

some 88% to 90% votes and that's when I

said that I'd like to see the 7 8% or

10% who did not vote for him who are

those Champions and what happened to

them that besides he first said he first

talked about his own Victory and thanked

Putin for congratulating him and

congratulated Putin once again for his

March Victory then he said that in the

past 4050 years it's a very significant

statement upfront we are not going to

Ukraine yet he said for the past 40 50

years India has been a victim of

terrorism and we know how painful

terrorism is particularly when you see

people dying of terrorism in innocent

people being hit by terrorism it is very

painful and very traumatic and he said

this in in the context of Terror attacks

that Russia has been facing so Moscow we

know that there was that big attack on a

theater and lately more recently they

were they were attacks in dagistan those

Narendra Modi mentioned by way of

sympathy solidarity with Russia remember

both of these attacks involve islamist

groups one clearly claimed by is in fact

both more or less claimed by claimed by

ISIS proliferations so that is the

statement he up front it was like a

statement of solid solidarity he also

said in the past 10 years you and I that

is Putin and Modi have met 17 times and

in the past 25 years 22 times so even

when Narendra Modi was chief minister of

Gujarat they were meetings then he says

this time we meeting after 2 and a half

years that's the reason I said up front

that this is this is happening after a

gap and he says already it's my sixth

visit to Moscow that shows the depth of

our

relationship and then he says I will say

it unhesitatingly that in this special

relationship you are the sutradhar you

are the one who's made it possible and

who's kept it going over two decades for

the simple reason I'm adding that for

the simple reason that Putin has been

the constant leader in Moscow for more

than two decades now that is not the

kind of thing we've seen in India before

that's a very Russian phenomenon and

that's very that's a very Putin phenomen

nominent so he's been he's been the

leader right through these two decades

of this special strategic partnership

and the series of summit meetings there

are supposed to be two Summit meetings

every year as we had mentioned

yesterday then after after saying all

the nice things all the platitudes about

looking forward to deepening this

relationship Prime Minister Modi sort of

quite deafly shifts to what's happened

to the world in the past 5 years so it

talks about covid and he talks about the

wars so he said first covid gave trouble

caused trauma for the whole world and

then then Warfare broke out in many

parts of the world across the world and

that has led to tension conflict and in

that situation once again very

diplomatically brings in a compliment he

says that in that our friendship which

means India Russia friendship it has

helped cushion the world from food fuel

and fertilizer crisis and he says that's

where we in India particularly benefited

from continued supply of fertilizers

India Imports a lot of fertilizers from

from Russia and also a lot of India's

fertilizer plants depend on feed stock

imports from Russia and then he says I

look forward to further cooperation with

with Russia and then again he begins to

get to the business end a little bit he

says he thanks he thanks Putin for

supplies of crude oil which India Buys

in large amounts I mentioned to you

India Russia trade now is 65 nearly 66

billion doar of which more than $60

billion is just India's oil import so

effectively India's trade deficit with

Russia right now is $62 billion so he

talks about deepening that relationship

but he also mentions that this India

Russia relationship or India's purchase

of crude oil from Russia has also helped

bring stability in global fuel markets

and thereby it has indirectly benefited

the entire world by way of keeping

inflation in control then he gets closer

to what I might describe as as the

business end of this of this talk

because he's talking not just to Putin

and not just to his Indian audiences but

he's talking to the rest of the world

particularly the Western world because

there's a lot of skepticism in the

Western World about India's special

relationship with Moscow India's oil

purchases is we are all within the

sanctions within the law so there is no

violation of sanctions because these

purchases at a certain floow price are

allowed under the sanctions regime

that's not the issue but generally the

Western World which is aligned with

India remember India is a key partner of

quad which is so important for Indian

security as well in the west there is a

lot of skepticism and criticism about

India's relationship with Russia and

that is something that Modi needs to

nuance and this meeting or this

statement came hours after this tweet

written by Ukrainian president vadir

zalinski where he spoke very critically

of Narendra Modi hugging Vladimir Putin

and he said and I quote from that tweet

although you will see the entire tweet

run on your screen it's a long tweet

this came after it Children's Hospital

in fact Ukraine's largest Children's

Hospital was hit by Russian missiles and

lots of people had died including small

children now I will read for you the

relevant par from this long tweet on the

Modi visit to Moscow it says and I quote

from zelinsky's tweet it is a huge

disappointment and a devastating blow to

peace efforts to see the leader of the

world's largest democracy huged the

world's most bloody criminal in Moscow

on such a day just the timing was so

terrible although when a war is going on

I don't know what's a better day what's

a worse day there is no such thing has

good timing everyday is terrible timing

when a war is going on a long brutal war

is going on but this in particular this

missile hits on a children's hospital

precisely almost to the to the hour that

Modi landed in Moscow was seen to be

quite triggering by the Western World

the Western media particularly as these

pictures which you see on your screen as

these pictures of the Modi Putin hug

came out now as you would expect in the

the Western World there is a lot of

criticism of this hug see this see see

this tweet by Derek grman now the

expectation is that even if Modi is

meeting Putin at least he'll not be seen

to be hugging hugging him in public but

you know what nations act in their own

interest I'm not giving you opinion n

Nations act in their own own interest

Nations don't act for charity and

foreign policy is not determined by

morality for too many decades India's

foreign policy was determined by moral

it did not bring that much benefit for

India so in India was always anti- this

anti- that anti- aarthi anti Israel Pro

Palestinian Pro the Arab world Pro the

third world member of non-allied

movement all of that did very little to

enhance India's interests or India's

larger stature so nations in their

self-interest take calls which do not

pass the test of Morality In fact a good

example of Nations putting morality

aside in their own larger interest is

this famous or inFAMOUS depending on

which side you are on fist bum between

Joe Biden the US president and Muhammad

B Salman the Crown Prince of Saudi

Arabia that's when the Americans were

fighting with the Saudis over columnist

kogi assassination so Nations act like

that and that is how I would see this

hug as well but zilinski is on his own

side also he has to he's also a nation

he has to speak and act in his own

interest it was in that backdrop that

Prime Minister Modi was addressing Putin

today in Moscow and it's important for

us to note that point so we can better

understand where Prime Minister Modi was

coming from in the statements that he

made subsequent to this he said all of

the world has always watched the India

Russia relationship very closely in the

past 25 years but this visit in

particular is being watched very closely

and subjected to varying interpretations

and then he said you called me home as a

true friend and we discussed Ukraine

freely we had a free and openhearted

exchange of thoughts on Ukraine with

mutual respect for each other's views we

understand each other's respective views

with respect but we also spoke candidly

and I thank you for allowing that candid

discussion that's an important statement

to make because what that means is he's

not expressing solidarity with the

Russian position on Ukraine if if you

translate this into simple English it

means that look I have disagreements

with your policies in Ukraine or what

you're doing with Ukraine or the what

war that you're vaging on Ukraine I said

that to you you let me say it without

any ranker or bitterness you gave me

your reasons for invading Ukraine and

carrying on with this war which I also

heard out without being judgmental about

so that is the translation of what

nendra Modi said and then he says we

recently had the G20 Summit in India

very important where the global South

where India tried to emerge as the voice

of the global South and Global South

also has expectations of Peace which

also I presented to you remember at the

G20 there was a joint declaration which

was an Indian achievement for sure which

mentioned Ukraine and the Need For Peace

there so he brings it there and then

then he says some things in Hindi which

are difficult to translate so I will

mention some words in Hindi not the

entire sentences that will take too long

some words in Hindi and I will translate

them for you he said

yud when you have War you have you have

conflict you have terrorism then

innocent people die particularly when

innocent children

die they really breaks your heart right

or this that punches so many holes

through your heart and he says it with a

good with a good expression on his face

and while he saying this watch Putin

this is the exact picture from that

moment that I'm showing you on the

screen we'll also try and run that video

on the side there is no expression in

Putin's face only his left foot also

starts moving at this point besides his

right foot so he

says it breaks your heart when innocent

children children die

and and we discussed these issues also

in detail here he's addressing the

Western audiences and he's telling the

Western audiences his Western friends

India's Western friends that look I am

somebody not from Russia's Camp I am I

not China right I'm not Iran I'm not

North Korea I'm not from Russia's Camp

I'm partners with the West in many areas

particularly the quad but I'm still

capable of saying these things to Putin

in public and in Putin's presence so

wouldn't you rather have me here as this

interlocutor for good

then either have me hiding or boycotting

Russia or joining your boycotts of

Russia wouldn't you rather have me on

the table that is the message that's

being sent here and again the Prime

Minister said and I will repeat that one

line in

Hindi that you cannot find a solution to

these complex problems in the

battlefield bum bundook or goalie that

is bombs guns and bullets cannot help

find a resolution to these problems

these problems can be resolved only

through talks only through negotiations

and then he says it's a matter of

satisfaction that these conversations

took place in total cander without Lea

POI now how do you how do I translate

leap POI so I will do a best efforts

translation without any window dressings

without any window

dressing without any curtains which

means without any

hesitation and then he says through

these candid discussions many

interesting ideas emersed and new

thinking emerged and he's lefted at that

there is no hint at what this new

thinking might be and then he goes on to

add can

Shanti in the process of restoration of

Peace India will play whatever role it's

called upon to play and he said that I

want to reassure the world opinion that

your talk the talk with you has

comforted me once again it's a hint that

is pushing Putin towards a nonar

resolution or a non-war solution to the

issue after this there was a briefing by

the foreign secretary V quatra he took

some questions from journalists also I

will share a link of that with you with

the description I will also share with

you a link of prime minister modi's talk

to Putin that's very important there is

also Russian translation going on with

this and since we talked so much about

body language and Putin's foot movement

you can also see it in that video that

said what's happening between India and

Russia on critical supplies now foreign

secretary in his briefing acknowledged

that there are a couple of problems one

of the problems is the trade imbalance

the trade has now become so heavily

loaded in favor of Russia because it's

unidimensional it is just oil oil oil

and while the two leaders set a Target

of100 billion for 2030 frankly if it

just goes on like this even in terms of

crude oil it'll get to1 billion except

India's deficit that might be 94 billion

from $62 billion right now so the

foreign secretary said the Prime

Minister raised the issue of enlarging

the trade basket and also for providing

greater access to Indian Goods in Russia

also there were talks about

co-production of fertilizers in India

with Russian Investments now obviously

with Russian sitting with so much

Surplus India to find ways for that rupe

to be spent however but the bigger

problem the foreign secretary said that

there are issues with supplies of spares

or resupply of spares for Russian and

Soviet origin equipment and he said that

some solutions are being found or being

considered including joint production of

these spars in India but the most

critical of all the elephant in the room

is the S400 supplies now S400 are top of

the line surface Weare missile batteries

that India had ordered with the Russians

it was a $5 billion plus order in 2019

when the order was first placed so first

the deliveries were delayed a little bit

because India was a little bit late in

making the payments remember there was a

threat of sanctions from Washington and

that had to be dealt with quietly once

that was dealt with payments were made

the first batteries arrived in 2021 the

first batteries AR the first battery

arrived in 2021 the second battery

arrived with with some delay with 3 4

month delay in the middle of 2022 since

then no batter has come five batteries

were ordered which means only two

batteries have come so far there's one

training battery which has come which is

not operational so there were five

operational batteries with one training

battery so two operational batteries and

one training battery have come and three

operational batteries are yet to come

and this delay seems to be now never

ending because the Russians are using a

lot of this equipment elves if you've

seen videos coming out of the war

Ukraine war from aen channels open

source intelligence channels you will

see that quite a few of these S400

batteries particularly in Crimea had

been hit by long range Ukrainian

missiles or long range artillery so the

Russians are consuming quite a bit of it

themselves and that's one of the reasons

they are not able to keep up the

supplies to India and that's a that's a

source of real concern in India because

these five S400 batteries are critical

to India's larger long range air defense

now what is a battery what is an S400

battery so I consulted SNES Alex Philip

our defense editor and here are the

details each battery has eight

battalions don't confuse with don't

confuse it with Battalion of troops in

infantry what is called a battalion in

an S400 battery actually is a group of

eight launchers each launcher has four

tubes you see these tubes like this you

see the this picture so each launcher

has four tubes which means each

Battalion has 8 into 4 32 tubes each

tube can launch a missile and these

tubes can launch they can be loaded with

different kinds of missiles four

different kinds of missiles 400 km range

250 km range 120 km range and 40 km

range how many missiles have come with

these batteries and and these tubes and

these launchers that we don't know I

presume that is classified as it should

be

the fact that we know is that of the

five batteries which should have come by

the end of

2023 even after the initial delays only

two have come and right now there is no

visibility as to when the rest might

come and that's a real crisis for

India's larger deeper longer range air

defense

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