Manmohan Singh to meet Putin today with focus on strengthening ties. PHOTO: FILE
The Indian premier left for a trip to Russia and China to strengthen trade ties and secure defence, energy and other economic deals.
In a statement before leaving India, Singh spoke of Delhi’s long-standing defence and trade ties with Moscow.
“The scope of our relationship with Russia is unique, encompassing strong and growing cooperation in areas such as defence, nuclear energy, science and technology, hydrocarbons, trade and investment,” he said.
India’s move to acquire the second nuclear submarine from Russia comes two months after its navy’s frontline submarine, INS Sindhurakshak, sank at the Mumbai harbour after an explosion though to have occurred in its torpedo section. The Indian navy already operates one Akula II Class nuclear submarine, the INS Nerpa.
According to the ToI report, the proposal was approved by the Indian Cabinet Committee on Security in a recent meeting.
Under the project, India is planning to finance the construction of an old Akula Class nuclear submarine ‘Irbis’ in Russia, which halted due to lack of funds following the breakup of the USSR. Negotiations in this regard between the two countries had been going on for some time and were concluded recently, the report said.
The construction of the submarine is expected to cost more than Rs60 billion and will likely take at least three to four years.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 21st, 2013.
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