NEW DELHI, Oct 30 (AFP) India is set to buy sophisticated military hardware from Russia, with Sukhoi30 fighter jets likely on the shopping list, the Press Trust of India (PTI) reported Wednesday.
The news agency report came after Russian Deputy Prime Minister Oleg Davydov met Indian Defence Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav here.
"The two ministers agreed that a large number of important defencerelated projects would progress shortly," a statement by the Indian defence ministry said.
"Negotiations on the price of the aircraft have to be finalised, and New Delhi might go for two squadrons (40 planes)," PTI said.
India also plans to modernise its warships and submarines, Yadav said.
In an obvious concession to New Delhi's strategic interests, Davydov reportedly informed Yadav that Russia would not supply arms to any country "inimical to India."
This was seen as a clear reference to Pakistan, which has fought three wars with India since their independence in 1947. The two countries dispute the ownership of Kashmir.
Davydov, here on a fiveday visit, earlier said Russia was ready to help build two nuclear reactors in the country.
Last week India and Russia signed a pact to conduct
joint military exercises and training following a visit by Russian
Defence Minister Igor Rodionov.