Putin arrives in India, to ink defence deals worth $10 billion

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi on Thursday night for 22-hour visit during which India and Russia are expected to sign deals worth $10 billion and also finalise policies on the way forward on Afghanistan.

Putin will build on a relationship he revived in the post Boris Yeltsin era and eyeing space, energy and defence contracts, which have been Russia's traditional strengths.

The Russians are expect to signed up to 15 agreements worth $10 billion.

India will have to pay an additional $2.35 billion for retrofitting the aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov.

India is likely to buy an additional 29 more MIG-29K fighters for the Navy. Both the countries will also finalise the deal to jointly develop a fifth generation fighter and a transport aircraft.

Russia will also get to construct two additional nuclear reactors at Kudankulam.

Putin will also push for a prime ministerial nod on a controversial Russian contract with NTPC. Russia wants more than the contracted price amid allegations of massive pay offs

India is also eyeing an increased stake in Russia's oil and gas fields along with collaboration in a Russian global satellite navigation system.

So is India going to leverage its new friendship with an old friend?

"Russia as the Prime Minister says is a time tested and trusted partner. It sounds like a cliche but its true. We shouldn't be playing games with Russia. Both these relationships should be separate," said former foreign secretary Kanwal Sibal.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will hope that trust comes handy when he discusses a possible plan B for afghanistan

"India and Russia have common concerns on Afghanistan and AfPak. Both agree on the need for strong international co-operation against terror and the financing of terrorism," said Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Vishnu Prakash.

Russia remains wary of its backyard turning more radical on the back of drug money, but so far it has been muted in its opposition to the US-led policy to reconcile and re-engage with the Taliban.