India and Russia Deepen Defence Ties
India and Russia continue to strengthen their long-standing defence partnership, reaffirming their commitment to enhanced cooperation in the military and military-technical spheres. Recent high-level engagements underscore the depth of their bilateral relations and the significant potential for collaboration in defence industries.
Key Diplomatic Engagements
The Indian Ambassador to Moscow, Vinay Kumar, met with Colonel General Aleksandr Fomin, Russia’s Deputy Minister of Defence, to discuss the scope of military cooperation. According to the Russian Defence Ministry, the discussions were conducted in a “warm and friendly atmosphere” and emphasized a shared vision of advancing their privileged strategic partnership. This meeting set the stage for Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s visit to Russia, highlighting the importance both nations place on their defence ties.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s Moscow Visit
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh embarked on a three-day visit to Russia, during which he co-chaired the 21st session of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military and Military Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-M&MTC) with his Russian counterpart, Andrey Belousov. The discussions spanned a wide range of topics, including military-to-military cooperation, industrial collaboration, and contemporary global and regional issues of mutual interest.
A significant highlight of Singh’s visit was his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin. During the meeting, Singh described the India-Russia friendship as “higher than the highest mountain and deeper than the deepest ocean.” Both leaders expressed confidence in the strategic partnership’s immense potential, emphasizing that combined efforts could lead to remarkable outcomes. Singh also conveyed warm greetings from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reaffirming India’s enduring ties with Russia.
Key Developments and Initiatives
- Commissioning of INS Tushil:
- As part of his visit, Singh commissioned the Indian Navy’s latest multi-role stealth guided missile frigate, ‘INS Tushil,’ at the Yantra Shipyard in Kaliningrad. Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi accompanied him for the ceremony, which underscores India’s focus on bolstering its naval capabilities.
- Tribute to Soviet Soldiers:
- Singh paid homage at ‘The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier’ in Moscow, honoring Soviet soldiers who lost their lives during World War II. This gesture highlighted the historical camaraderie between the two nations.
- Strengthening Defence Capabilities:
- Singh advocated for the expedited delivery of the remaining two units of the S-400 Triumf surface-to-air missile systems, emphasizing the importance of enhancing India’s defence readiness.
- He proposed expanding the joint venture with Kalashnikov to include additional products and exports, as well as facilitating repair and overhaul of systems like T-90 tanks and Su-30MKI jets in India.
- ‘Make in India’ Opportunities:
- Singh urged Russian defence industries to explore new opportunities under India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative. The discussions focused on industrial collaboration to boost India’s domestic defence manufacturing capabilities.
Strategic Partnership
The India-Russia defence partnership has been a cornerstone of their bilateral relations for decades. Both nations have consistently supported each other on the global stage and remain committed to deepening their collaboration. Singh’s visit follows Prime Minister Modi’s summit with President Putin earlier this year, where they pledged to enhance defence cooperation. President Putin’s anticipated visit to India next year is expected to further solidify these ties.
India and Russia’s defence relations are a testament to their enduring strategic partnership. The recent engagements and initiatives underscore the mutual commitment to bolstering military capabilities, fostering industrial collaboration, and addressing global challenges together. As both nations work towards achieving remarkable outcomes, their partnership continues to be a pillar of regional and global stability.
