India to hold first 2+2 with Russia

India to hold first 2+2 with Russia

Part of: Prelims and GS-II – International relations

Context India and Russia shall hold their first “2+2” format talks in December.

• A number of agreements on defence, science and technology and trade are expected to be announced.
• A “fundamental change” in the defence relationship since 2018 has taken bilateral contracts from $2-3 billion per year to $9-10 billion, making Russia India’s “top defence partner”.

Significance

• The 2+2 format is particularly significant since India conducts joint foreign and defence ministerial meetings only with its closest ‘Quad’ partners — the U.S., Japan and Australia.
• The 2+2 is also expected to look further afield in building India’s ties with Central Asia and Russia’s engagement in the Indo-Pacific.

Russian 2+2

• Russia thus far has the 2+2 format for “problem solving” with countries such as Japan, France and earlier with the U.S. 

Defence deals awaiting conclusion

• Two major defence deals awaiting conclusion are the AK-203 assault rifles and the Igla-S very short range air defence systems. 
• India and Russia are expected to sign the Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Support Agreement and a Navy-to-Navy cooperation MoU.