Russia is India’s trusted partner and will never do anything detrimental to India’s security, said Alexander M. Kadakin, Russian Ambassador to India.
He said this in response to questions by journalists here on Monday on the recently signed framework agreement between Russia and Pakistan. He said, “It’s just a framework which we have with many countries and does not envisage any immediate arms transfers”.
"We had offered India several types of helicopters.. India is not buying... Why can’t Russia sell it to others? You opted for Apaches": The request for attack helicopters came from Pakistan, but we have not sold any yet”, Ambassador Kadakin said.
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India has traditionally relied on Russia for most of its weapons imports but in recent years has been diversifying its purchases. The result was Russia lost out on some major deals in recent times which caused some disgruntlement in Moscow.
On Russia-Pak relations, he stated that if Moscow and Islamabad have improved relations, it will be easier to Influence Pakistan as Russia too has “concerns regarding Afghanistan”.
On the upcoming visit of the Russian President Vladimir Putin to India, Mr. Kadakin said the highlight will be the release of a vision document on improving India's energy security. The dialogue is a close friend’s talk which does not require much of protocol routine, said the Russian envoy.
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There will be major discussions on expanding nuclear cooperation. "Russia has agreed to help setup 14-16 nuclear units. Now it seems that demand in India is much bigger that it may rise to 20-24 units", Mr. Kadakin said.
“The discussions will be held in the background of a burdened international milieu, when we face increasing pressure of the USA and its allies, forcing Russia to succumb its state sovereignty. This will never happen”, Mr. Kadakin said.
On the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA), being developed by India and Russia, he said work is going as per schedule and negotiations are on regarding the work share. India has gained some experience in designing aircraft and we are open to 50-50 work share. But we need an agreement for this, Kadakin said.
On the recent crash of Su-30 fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force, the Ambassador said, there was an enquiry and the problem is not with Russian technology. “It was a human error”, he said.
Asked about the US President Barak Obama being Chief Guest at the Republic Day Parade, Mr. Kadakin said that "Russia is not jealous".