[Reporter Zhao Yanlong of Global Network Report] "Russia will not succumb to the pressure of the threat of US sanctions, and at the same time continue to finalize a large-scale military agreement with India, including four frigate contracts and the production of ak-47 assault rifles", "India will not be afraid", the Hindustan Times quoted Russian Ambassador to India Kudashev as saying on October 11th.
A week after India and Russia signed an agreement to purchase S-400 missiles, US President Trump said on Wednesday that India will "see" its decision on sanctions, "faster than you think." On August 2, 2017, it signed the Law on Counterattacking American Enemies with Sanctions (CAATSA). The bill stipulates that various additional restrictions are imposed on Russia, Iran and other countries, as well as on third countries that cooperate with Russian defense enterprises.
In response to Trump’s remarks, Kudashev said that India is "very big and has a wide territory, and will not rely on anyone, nor will it be afraid of anyone".
Kudashev described the S-400 agreement as "the biggest contract" and "one of the fastest contracts" in the history of military technical cooperation with India. He said that the agreement signed during the annual summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Modi on October 5 will start in 2020 and will be completed within five years.
"In the next few months, you can expect more transactions. Negotiations are going on. This is a normal process. I hope that in two to three months … … We will soon reach an agreement on frigates and ak47 assault rifles. "There may be other deals," Kudashev told reporters.
When asked if India and Russia would be deterred by the threat of the Act on Countering American Enemies with Sanctions (CAATSA), Kudashev replied: "Yes. Indian Defense Minister Sitaraman and Foreign Minister Susima Swaraj also specifically mentioned that India will not recognize other sanctions outside the UN Security Council. "
Kudashev added, "The Act of Countering the American Enemy with Sanctions is very evil, and (threat) is not the right way to do things … … It is a tool for exerting political pressure and a tool for unfair competition. "
At present, India plans to buy more Talvard-class multi-purpose frigates from Russia and start producing ak-47 assault rifles, so as to make full use of the capacity of its factory to promote its "Made in India" plan.
Kudashev said that Russia expects that India will decide to build a new nuclear power project with six reactors "as soon as possible", although work on the Koodankulam nuclear power project continues. He said that the third and fourth reactors built in Kutankulam have been started, and both sides are "ready to start" work on the fifth and sixth reactors.
When talking about the new nuclear power project, he said, "The Indian government feels that it is necessary to hold more consultations with the local community (choose a site), which is still unclear."
Kudashev also criticized the U.S. strategy in Afghanistan, calling it a "failure" because the strategy has led to the deterioration of the security situation and a surge in violence. He said that India and Russia can carry out joint projects of capacity building and training in Afghanistan.