China and India have come under fire over their growing ties. Beijing is urging Modi to join the BRICS forum, but New Delhi has objected. The two countries have different views on terrorism and China’s “technical hold” on Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar‘s names has drawn criticism in India.
SCO
India and China have been at odds for decades, but a recent SCO security summit has put these relations in the spotlight once again. China’s growing influence in the region is limited by a number of factors, including unrealistic expectations for trade and a bottom-up pushback on some deals. But despite these obstacles, India and China are increasingly dependent on one another to be a successful partner in the region.
Modi’s visit to Samarkand
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on September 15-16 to attend the 22nd Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). Other leaders of the organization, including Chinese President Xi Jinping and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, are expected to attend the summit.
Sino-Indian ties
India and China are battling over who will dominate Asia. India’s goal is to challenge Chinese hegemony in the region and carve a strategic space as a great power in a multipolar world. But India isn’t sure how to play catch-up and find a solution to its growing rivalry with China. This could lead to new friction in Sino-Indian relations.
China’s “technical hold” on Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar as terrorists
With the SCO summit just days away, the prime minister of India will take the stage in Samarkand to discuss the future of regional security. The event is also an opportunity to address regional challenges, including the rise of China and the threat of terrorism. The meeting is expected to produce a significant document on counterterrorism, as well as a range of other topics. The two nations will also discuss connectivity across central Asia, US sanctions on Iran, and the future of the Korean Peninsula.
Russian arms sales to India
Though Russian arms sales to India have dwindled in the past decade, the Russians continue to be India’s top arms buyer, and recent developments show that the partnership is far from over. The Russian defense industry needs foreign sales to achieve economies of scale and sustain its manufacturing base. In turn, India needs to modernise its Soviet-based weapons, and Russia offers a good price-performance ratio.
AK-203 assault rifles
The Russian and Indian governments have signed an Inter Governmental Agreement (IGA) for the joint manufacturing of AK-203 assault rifles. The two countries are expected to manufacture the rifles in India. The AK-203s are light, robust and accurate, with a range of up to 300 meters. They are also compact and easy to operate, and will enhance the operational capability of the Indian Army. In addition, the deal will create business opportunities for various MSMEs and provide new employment opportunities.
S-400 air defense missile systems
Russia’s S-400 air defense missile systems are coming under the spotlight at a key security summit. These missiles are designed to counter high-altitude and long-range threats. The system consists of four different types of missiles. The 40N6 missile has a range of 400 kilometers. The missile uses active radar homing and can track and target a number of different targets, including AWACS, J-STARS, and EA-6B support jammers. It is also capable of targeting a wide range of targets, including high-value targets.
