Putin to visit India for military, energy ties

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Russian President Vladimir Putin will arrive in India on Monday with an aim to improve military and energy relations with the nation courted by Washington. 

Washington, in its turn, called for a QUAD security dialogue with India, Japan, and Australia in order to face a growing China. 

India, which was close to the Soviet Union during the Cold War, describes its partnership with Russia as "special and privileged".

In a virtual summit in September, Modi told Putin "You have always been a great friend of India."

The trip is the Russian President's only second overseas since the pandemic.  

The visit comes as China and India have had recent deadly confrontations in the disputed Himalayans, putting Putin in a tough spot with China.

The talks in India will focus on defense and energy issues, according to the Kremlin last week. 

India is looking to modernize its army while holding a $5 billion contract with Russia for the long-range S-400 ground-to-air missile defense system.

Of course, the US has threatened sanctions under Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).

With aspirations to increase domestic production, India has launched a joint venture with Russia to begin manufacturing AK-203 assault rifles.

The foreign and defense ministers of the two nations will also meet on Monday, and the Ministry of external affairs in India revealed that "the leaders will review the state and prospects of bilateral relations and discuss ways to further strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries."