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Doval in Russia: Focus on S-400 purchase and talks for SU-57 fighter jets, says report; meeting with Putin likely
NSA Ajit Doval has a storied career. In his days at the Intelligence Bureau, he's been known to go undercover, with various disguises. File image/PTI
As US President Donald Trump continues to oppose stronger India-Russia ties, India's National Security Adviser Ajit Doval is set to visit Moscow. Doval would focus on expanding defence ties between the two nations as he embarked on the visit on Wednesday.
Apart from defence, India and Russia will also focus on strengthening industrial ties amid the tariff threats unleashed by US President Donald Trump. Doval's visit would also focus on the purchase of additional S-400 missile defence systems and dialogue on Su-57 fighter jets.
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According to a report by The Economic Times, the two sides would discuss the possibility of the purchase of additional S-400 missile systems and the talks could include setting up S-400 MRO facilities in India.
The current geopolitical situation demands greater ties
It is pertinent to note that the Russian S-400 systems played a crucial role in Operation Sindoor that targeted nine terror camps located in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. The attack, which eventually led to a four-day military escalation between the two nations, was conducted two weeks after the Pahalgam terror attack that led to the death of 26 people in Kashmir.
Similarly, BrahMos missiles jointly developed by India and Russia rattled the Pakistani military during the four-day military escalation. According to The Economic Times, ahead of Doval's visit, Indian ambassador to Russia Vinay Kumar met Russia's deputy defence minister, Colonel-General Alexander Fomin.
The Indian NSA is also expected to meet the Russian President, Vladimir Putin. Interestingly, the visit is coming at a time when the US President Donald Trump's special envoy, Steven Witkoff, is also in Moscow. It is important to note that this is Witkoff's fifth visit to Russia since the beginning of the year.
'The current escalation of the geopolitical situation will also be discussed. Apart from that, the topics will include such pressing matters as supplies of Russian oil [to India],' a Russian source close to the matter told The Economic Times.
The visit becomes significant since Trump imposed additional 25 per cent tariffs on India on Wednesday. The Trump administration has been vehemently against India purchasing oil from Russia amid the war in Ukraine.
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