India Said to Pitch New Arms Deal With Russia During Putin Visit

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1. Summary of this Bloomberg News article:

   India is expected to open talks with Russia on buying Su-57 stealth fighter jets and the next-generation S-500 missile-defence system during Vladimir Putin’s visit, despite U.S. pressure to curb New Delhi–Moscow defence ties. The potential deal stems from the “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership” between the two countries and could complicate India’s trade relations with the U.S., which has already pushed back against Indian weapons purchases from Russia.

   Although India has gradually diversified its arms imports toward the U.S. and Europe, Russia remains its largest supplier, and India already operates over 200 Russian fighter jets plus several S-400 air-defence batteries, reportedly used in a brief conflict with Pakistan in May. Officials say Indian pilots and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited can easily transition to and maintain the Su-57 fleet, which would extend India’s long-range strike capability.

   However, people familiar with the matter caution that any agreement on new Russian equipment is unlikely to be finalized during Putin’s current visit.

2. America has become increasingly unreliable and with regional threats it only make sense to increase purchases of weapons

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4. Perfect example of realism and transactionalism. Forget about the bloody morality and principles, do whatever that can maximize your interest. I see a bright future for humanity with more countries like this.

   Sorry Ukraine, nothing personal.

5. India prob WILL buy more s400, though the chances of s500 sales are minuscule. Indian sources report that there was practically no discussion on s500. S400 too is being considered cause, there is a clause for purchase of 5 more in the original deal. I am pretty sure Delhi is weighing that it can dodge blowback, if it’s an old deal and not a new one. Idk how excited India is at the prospect of buying a system that is not even in serial production, ans is not that much useful to India’s needs. Especially considering it has shown the anti sat ability on its own, and has the industrial capability as well as project to build similar systems.

   Su57 would probably not be bought, it India ever buys it before the end of Russia Ukraine war. With the peace deals and such going about, it would be stupid to put ur head in a dumpster fire.

   Not to mention that Su57 is shitty at stealth, and has utter garbage radar which Moscow is not letting Delhi replace with its own. The rcs is almost 2x that of a j20 AND j20 has a better radar, not to even mention F35 which India was not refused for. Indian government probably is also using f35 as a bargaining chip during trade negotiations with trump so 5th Gen jet would most likely won’t be bought, before trade deal and/or end of war.

6. I mean the US (even Pre-Trump) has had a tendency to provide aid to Pakistan even during its genocidal war in East Pakistan (Bangladesh).

   People can clutch pearls over this and pretend to be righteous but lets be honest. Ukraine’s proximity to the rest of Europe is the only reason why mainstream media covers it. Nobody cared when Russia sent Chechnya back to the stone age, Turkey invaded Cyprus, or Suharto committed a genocide East Timor or when Saddam gassed Kurds with US aid. The latter only became a problem when Bush Jr. wanted to flex his muscles and Cheney wanted to open Halliburton’s markets to Iraq’s natural resources/industry.

   The fact that there are still NATO members trading with Russia, in spite of, grandstanding about the humanity of Ukraine illustrates all that you need to know. Hypocrisy and Virtue Signaling is a cornerstone of geopolitical paradigms across the board.

7. 1. History based on performance from recent conflicts- S400, Brahmos etc

   2. Lack of reliable/dependable partner in the US- diversifying to Russia, Israel, France.

   3. Technology transfer- something that US companies do not do typically and something that European partners are increasingly willing to accommodate

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