Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry O. Rogozin is in India for a two-day visit from June 18. This is Russia’s first high level interaction since the BJP-led NDA government assumed charge in New Delhi.
Dmitry Rogozin is scheduled to meet the Indian Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj followed by delegation level talks between the two countries. He is also expected to briefly call upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 19. During the visit both sides are expected to review overall bilateral ties including economic cooperation and issues relating to nuclear energy.
Rogozin’s visit comes in the back drop of talks between Pakistan and Russia for the sale of Mi-35 combat helicopters. This visit is thus being seen as an attempt to reassure India that it remains Russia’s most important defence partner. Officially, the Indian government has not reacted to negotiations between Pakistan and Russia for the sale of Mi-35 helicopters.
Russia was displaced last year by the U.S. as India’s biggest arms supplier.