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President Vladimir Putin was to sign an agreement in India on the S-400 air defense system worth more than $ 5 billion, despite US warnings of sanctions against countries buying Russian military equipment .
Putin, who arrived in New Delhi on Thursday night, was due to discuss with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi new deals worth about $ 3 billion for Russian warships and military helicopters.
Russia, which is building its second nuclear power station in India, is also on the table, as well as the training of Indian astronauts in Russia for the first crewed space mission in New Delhi in 2022.
India, tightrope between Russia and the United States while keeping a careful eye on China, should seek a lifting of sanctions, but the administration of President Donald Trump said that this was unlikely.
However, Washington is in a difficult position in New Delhi, seeking to strengthen its ties with India in order to counter China's growing claim while maintaining pressure on Russia.
Last month, Washington and New Delhi announced their intention to organize joint military exercises in 2019 and agreed on the exchange of sensitive military information. The United States is now the second largest arms supplier in India.
But Russia remains the number one and seeks to remain, while India is upgrading its $ 100 billion military equipment to counter the potential threats of China and Pakistan.
"Russia is a long time friend, I am really happy that India has finally shown its backbone," AFP analyst R. R. Subramanian, a strategic affairs analyst based in Delhi, told AFP.
"It's time we … show that Washington would not push us."
Putin, accompanied by senior officials, including Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, and Modi are scheduled to meet at 11:00 (05:30 GMT).
An exchange of agreements and press releases is scheduled at 14:30.
Russian President Vladimir Putin should conclude arms sales deals with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, worth several billion dollars
