India, Russia to ink defence pacts

Moscow, 15 October

India today said it will work with “time-tested friend” Russia in 31 new areas under a 10-year military agreement to be sealed during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit here this year end, when an after-sales support deal for Russian defence equipment will also be inked. “Russia is a time-tested, dependable friend of India. Our special defence relationship with Russia will continue. The extension of our long-term defence cooperation programme till 2020 would include 31 new areas,” said Defence Minister A K Antony.