Russian President Vladimir Putin, who was in India last week, left the Chinese analysts surprised with his “generous” gifts, according to their media reports. "Moscow has never shown such generosity towards foreign partners before,” Chinese analysts were quoted by Chinese news website Sohu.
“The Russian side did not arrive empty-handed. Putin arrived in India a day early, bringing two large gifts," the report said, in reference to the advanced Russian military equipment—Su-57 stealth fighters and the S-500 anti-aircraft system.
The Russian delegation, which landed in India on Saturday, arrived with a list of defence proposals for India, including joint production of Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jets and over $11-billion upgrade of the Su-30MKI fleet into “Super Sukhois”. Besides the Su-57 jet and Su-30MKI upgrade offers, Russia also offered additional S-400 air-defence systems, the Pantsir-S1M point-defence system, radars and strategic submarines.
"Russia has never before been so generous to its foreign partners," they are surprised in China. Many perceived this news as a generous gift from Russia to India, given that the S-500 and Su-57 are truly advanced systems," Chinese journalists report.
The Chinese media added that though India already has S-400 air defence systems in service, the newest S-500 would be an additional benefit, and by combining the two systems, a well-layered air defence system could be created. As for the Su-57, it's a fifth-generation fighter, something New Delhi doesn't yet have. More importantly, the Russians are proposing to establish joint production of these aircraft, Sohu quoted analysts.
"Moscow needs a stable, large, and financially secure customer who would share research and development costs and provide foreign exchange earnings. India fits this description perfectly, with sufficient funds, a pressing need for new weapons, and years of experience cooperating with Russia," Chinese journalists report.
Chinese media also emphasised the fact that such agreements would bring significant benefits to Russia. In addition to contracts, it would gain a long-term strategic ally. Such agreements create stronger ties between countries than simple hydrocarbon trade, the report said.
