Pressure on India, need to secure our trade, says Kremlin ahead of Putin visit, Pg3

Key Highlights:

• President Vladimir Putin will visit India on December 4-5 for the 23rd annual summit.
• Discussions will include a labour mobility pact, S-400 air defence systems, and Sukhoi-57 fighter aircraft supplies.
• Talks will address the 25% US penalty tariff on India for buying Russian oil.
• A potential free-trade agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union is under negotiation.

Detailed Insights:

• The labour mobility agreement aims to facilitate Indian skilled and semi-skilled professionals working in Russia's construction, healthcare, and hospitality sectors.
• Discussions will cover defence ties and the safe return of Indian nationals in the Russian military.
• Civil nuclear cooperation, including sharing small modular reactor technology and completing existing nuclear plants, is on the agenda.
• The visit includes a private dinner hosted by PM Modi, a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhawan, and a meeting with business leaders at Bharat Mandapam.
• Russia Today, backed by the Russian government, is launching its TV operations in India with a 100-member bureau.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Labour Mobility Pact: An agreement facilitating the movement of workers between countries.
• Free-Trade Agreement: A pact between countries to reduce trade barriers like tariffs and quotas.
• Small Modular Reactor: A nuclear fission reactor that is smaller than conventional nuclear reactors.