New Delhi: India has sealed a long-pending defence agreement with Russia to lease a nuclear-powered attack submarine for $2 billion. The deal was concluded just as Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi for a state visit, marking a significant milestone in bilateral defence cooperation.

The agreement brings to an end more than ten years of negotiations that were repeatedly stalled due to disagreements over pricing and technical specifications. Following a visit by senior Indian officials to a Russian shipyard in November, both sides resolved outstanding issues, clearing the way for the formal signing of the pact. The submarine is expected to be delivered within two years, although defence sources caution that the vessel’s technical complexity could push the timeline furthe

See Full Page