Political situation in India

India leases nuclear-powered submarine from Russia

India will lease a nuclear-powered attack submarine from Russia for around two billion dollars, equivalent to 19 billion kronor. Bloomberg reports, citing sources.

The agreement is being concluded after nearly ten years of discussions in connection with President Vladimir Putin's visit to India this week.

According to the agreement, the submarine may not be used in warfare, but rather for training, thus giving the country the opportunity to design its submarine strategy while building its own submarines.

Analysis: Putin and Modi do not meet to hug - but to talk money

Narendra Modi will have to keep his mouth shut when Russian President Vladimir Putin visits New Delhi today, writes Rhea Mogul in an analysis for CNN.

At the same time, India wants to reach a trade agreement with the United States and buy weapons and oil from Russia. Modi believes he needs the weapons to defend himself against China – and the US’s close ally Pakistan.

“This underlines the complicated neighbourhood India has to navigate: Russia is also a close partner to China, while Beijing is a major arms supplier to Pakistan,” writes Rhea Mogul.

The Guardian’s Hannah Ellis-Peterson points out that for Putin, too, the meeting is more about continuing the exports that are crucial for him to be able to continue his war in Ukraine.

The relationship between Russia and India has been strong since Indian independence. Ellis-Peterson refers to Aparna Pande, head of the Hudson Institute’s India and South Asia department, who points out that today’s meeting is primarily about realpolitik despite all the “bear hugs and golf cart rides” that the two have shared.