India and Russia sign nuclear and defence deals

India and Russia on Tuesday agreed a number of deals to cooperate on defence and nuclear energy.

Moscow will supply New Dehli’s army with missiles and develop advanced fighter jets worth an estimated 27 billion euros.

Russia will also build two more reactors at a nuclear power plant in India’s southern state of Tamil Nadu.

India is one of the world’s biggest nuclear markets and atomic power is seen as key to the country’s for economic growth.

Both nations also want to double bilateral trade to 15 billion euros by 2015.

India recently signed similar deals with the United States, France and Britain, reflecting its growing clout in global politics.

All those partners, including Russia, back India’s bid for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council.

China, which has developed stronger commerical ties with New Dehli, is more non-committal.

Chinese officials said last month that Beijing “understands and supports” India’s eagerness to play a bigger role at the world body.

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