India to procure S-400 missiles from Russia soon, says Nirmala Sitharaman

Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday informed that the talks with Russians have reached a conclusive stage and procurement of S-400 missiles will start in about two and a half to four years, once a final agreement is made between the two friendly nations. It is the first time she addressed the media after  2+2 dialogue with US was postponed last month.

Informing the media, she said, “The talks have reached conclusive stage. Once done, it will take about two and a half to four years to implement.” Though not information on the final date has been known yet, but sources say that the deal might be in place before August 15.

Expressing her anguish on the United Nations Human Rights Commission’s report, Sitharaman called this  completely baseless. She supported the Indian Army and said that they show the maximum restraint and whosoever has prepared the report was sitting somewhere else. Claiming that UNHRC are way far from the reality, she said, “The report (on Kashmir) is prepared sitting somewhere else. Assessment made by the UNHRC is without basis. If only they see what is on the ground. Indian Army shows the maximum restraint.”

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She further added that the Union government is keeping an eye on the recruitment of youth in terrorist organisations. She said, “We are keeping an eye on recruitment. We are also focusing on what is motivating them to join terrorism and who is behind motivating them. Also, we are able to eliminate terrorists on the borders itself.” Sources say that Sitharaman had even called officials and directed them to keep a tab whether children being recruited by terrorists or not, as stated in the UNHRC report.

Regarding the 2+2 dialogue with United States, Sitharaman informed that it will take place in the first week of September. She said, “The 2+2 dialogue with US is to happen in the first week of September. The agenda will be to develop and strengthen strategic defence cooperation and to follow-on with what had transpired during the meeting with Secretary Defence Mattis.” Last month the dialogue with US Secretary of State Michael R Pompeo and Secretary of Defence James Mattis was postponed due to unavoidable circumstances, which was supposed to take place on July 6 between two counterparts.

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