India stops buying weapons from Russia - Bloomberg

India has agreed to a deal worth more than $3 billion for 31 long-range drones manufactured by US defense giant General Atomics.

India sharply reduced orders for defense equipment from Russia, at the same time, began to actively purchase weapons from Western countries. Bloomberg writes about this on Tuesday, December 3.

It says that India bought 36% of its total arms from Russia last year, compared to 2009% in 76.

"This is a sharp change in policy from a country that has been buying weapons from the Russians for many years," the publication points out.

Journalists point out that, in addition, the Indian authorities have postponed plans for the joint creation and production of helicopters and modern fighter jets with Russia and have not leased a submarine for the training of their military.

Instead, India began to buy more weapons and services from Western countries, as well as to produce its own with the support of the United States and France.

The publication writes that New Delhi is taking steps to reduce its dependence on Moscow, although the government continues to buy cheap energy from Russia and provide diplomatic support to the Russian dictator. India and the Russian Federation continue cooperation in the field of manufacturing rifles and missiles. India also depends on Russian nuclear technologies.

"Russia remains the only country that offers its nuclear submarines to India. India's partnership with the West will be incomplete until both sides find a way to discuss nuclear issues," concluded Anit Mukherjee, a senior lecturer at King's College London who specializes in India's military and foreign policy.

In September, diamond shipments from Russia to India fell by 96%, or almost 25 times, compared to the same period in 2023.