India inks missile deal with Russia

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (R) meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin in New Delhi, India on Oct. 5, 2018. The Russian president arrived in the Indian capital Thursday on a two-day visit. (Xinhua/Partha Sarkar)

NEW DELHI, Oct. 5 (Xinhua) -- India Friday inked a multi-billion dollar defense deal with Russia to acquire S-400 Triumf missile systems from Moscow, government sources here said.

The pact was signed during talks between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin here.

"The missile deal worth over five billion U.S. dollars has been signed between India and Russia. Under the deal, India will get five such missile systems. The deliveries will begin in two years' time," the sources said.

The Russian president arrived in the Indian capital Thursday on a two-day visit.

"As and when the government approves it, delivery (of the missiles) will be in 24 months," Indian Air Force chief B.S. Dhanoa had earlier said.