Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives in India today, likely to sign 20 agreements

Russian President Vladimir Putin will arrive India on Thursday on a two-day visit during which India and Russia are likely to sign a deal about 20 agreements including S-400 air defense systems.

The Russian President will also deliberate on major regional and global issues, like US sanctions on the import of Iranian crude oil.

Putin, together with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will hold the 19th India-Russia annual bilateral summit throughout which the two leaders are expected to review bilateral defence cooperation aftermath of the US sanctions against Russian defence majors.

India and Russia are about to sign about 20 pacts in areas ranging from nuclear energy, defence, economy and space.

One of the anticipated outcomes of this India-Russia meet will be the joint India-Russia counter-terrorism exercise, Indra-2018, set to be held from November 18 to 28.

The last annual summit between India and Russia was held on June 1, 2017, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited St Petersburg, Russia.

President Vladimir Putin and Indian PM Narendra Modi are expected to review bilateral defence cooperation amid US sanctions against Russian defence manufacturing.

The prime focus of the summit will be an agreement on the S-400 air defence missile system. India wantsthe long-range missile system to bolster its air defence mechanism, particularly along the border with China.

The S-400 is regarded as one of the most advanced long-range surface-to-air missile defence system. China had already purchased the S-400 missile system from Russia in 2014.

The US had already warned India against the latter's planned purchase. For months, there have been speculations that New Delhi will sign the deal in spite of the US sanctions.

Putin and Modi will further discuss geopolitical challenges in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region and the security threat India is currently facing from Pakistan.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had earlier told PTI about S-400 deal, "India has maintained its sovereignty as regards to its relationship with countries. We shall maintain it in all earnestness."