South Africa reach 107/3, extend lead to 395 in second Test against India
Guwahati (PTI): India spinner Ravindra Jadeja dismissed South African openers Ryan Rickelton and Aiden Markram as the visitors reached 107 for 3 at tea in their second innings -- taking an overall lead of 395 runs -- on day four of the second Test here on Tuesday.
The stalwart first broke a 59-run opening stand between Rickelton (35 off 64 balls) and Markram (29 off 84 balls) by dismissing the former. He then bowled Markram to reduce the Proteas to 74/2.
Washington Sundar then got the wicket of Temba Bavuma as South Africa were reduced to 77/3. Tristan Stubbs and Tony de Zorzi then batted resolutely to remain unbeaten at 14 and 21 runs respectively.
The Proteas, who began the day at the overnight score of 26 without loss, added 81 runs in the opening session.
On Monday, India were bundled out for 201 in response to South Africa's first-innings total of 489.
Brief Scores:
South Africa 1st Innings: 489 & 107 for 3 in 40 overs (Ryan Rickelton 35, Aiden Markram 29; Ravindra Jadeja 2/20).
India 1st Innings: 201 in 83.5 overs.
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Russian military hardware, spare parts for Indian military to be manufactured in India
New Delhi (PTI): Russia agreed to encourage joint manufacturing in India of military hardware and spare parts for maintenance of Russian-origin arms and defence equipment.
Ways to bolster overall bilateral defence cooperation figured prominently during summit talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday.
It has been a long-standing grievance of armed forces that the supply of critical spares and equipment from Russia takes a long time, affecting the maintenance of military systems procured from that country.
"Both sides agreed to encourage joint manufacturing in India of spare parts, components, aggregates and other products for maintenance of Russian origin arms and defence equipment under Make-in-India programme through transfer of technology," a joint statement said.
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It said both sides also agreed to set up joint ventures for meeting the needs of the Indian armed forces as well as subsequent export to mutually friendly third countries.
The joint statement said the India-Russia defence partnership is being reoriented to take up joint co-development and co-production of advanced defence technology and systems.
In their meeting on Thursday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Russian counterpart Andrey Belousov resolved to expand bilateral defence cooperation.
In the meeting, the Indian side showed keen interest in procurement of additional batches of S-400 missile systems from Moscow to bolster its combat prowess.
In October 2018, India signed a USD 5 billion deal with Russia to buy five units of the S-400 air defence missile systems, notwithstanding a warning by the US that going ahead with the contract may invite US sanctions under the provisions of Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).
Three squadrons have already been delivered.
The S-400 systems played a crucial role during Operation Sindoor. India may also look at procuring the S-500 missile systems from Russia.
In the Modi-Putin talks, the two sides also agreed to continue jointly developing systems of bilateral trade settlements through the use of national currencies.
Additionally, the two sides agreed to continue their consultations on enabling the interoperability of the national payment systems, financial messaging systems, as well as central bank digital currency platforms.
Modi and Putin appreciated the ongoing intensification of the joint work on a free trade agreement on goods between India and the Eurasian Economic Union, covering sectors of mutual interest, the joint statement said.
They also directed both sides to intensify efforts in negotiations on a mutually beneficial agreement on the promotion and protection of investment, it said.
India and Russia also welcomed steps to ensure long-term supply of fertilisers to India and discussed the potential establishment of joint ventures in this area.
