(Source: Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP, file)With deals over USD 12 billion in kitty this month, including leasing of a second nuclear submarine, Russia hopes to bag more projects as it termed itself as not just a business partner but an “ally” who stood by India in its “darkest hours”. Watch| PM Modi, Prez Putin hold restricted talks ahead of BRICS“Russia is a friend, an ally and not a business partner. Russia stood by India during its darkest hours. It is a long time,” he said and noted that Russia had stood by India when it faced sanctions after the 1998 nuclear tests. “Not so in the recent past, when India was under sanctions, we were pretty much the only partner for India.

Source: Indian Express October 23, 2016 14:15 UTC