New Delhi: India and Russia are expected to ink a mutual defence logistics support agreement soon with each other during the annual bilateral summit between the two countries that will take place in October or November this year, Russian Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) Roman Babushkin said on Tuesday, adding that Russia has decided not to sell weapons and defence equipment to Pakistan because of Indian “sensitivities and requests”.
The senior Russian diplomat also said Russian supply of the S-400 missile defence system to India is “on schedule” but added that in case of India asking for the expediting (fast-tracking) of this, the Russian side “will do its best”.
India already has similar defence logistics support pacts with the United States, France, Singapore and Australia. New Delhi is expected to ink such a pact soon with Japan as well apart from Russia which is India’s time-tested friend and key defence supplier. Such defence logistics support pacts ensure that either country’s defence platforms including ships and aircraft being able to use the other’s bases for repair and replenishment of supplies including fuel and spare parts.Read more…
