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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Tuesday during the 21st session of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military and Military-Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-M&MTC).
The high-level discussions focused on deepening bilateral defence collaboration and exploring new avenues of partnership between the two nations.
During the meeting, Singh emphasised the enduring friendship between India and Russia, describing it as “higher than the highest mountain and deeper than the deepest ocean”.
He reaffirmed India’s unwavering support for its Russian allies, adding, “India has always stood by its Russian friends and will continue to do so in the future.”
The leaders underscored the immense potential of their partnership, with Putin acknowledging the remarkable outcomes achieved through joint efforts in the defence sector.
The meeting highlighted India’s commitment to enhancing cooperation with Russia in areas such as advanced weapons systems, technology transfer, and military training.
As part of his Moscow visit, Singh is scheduled to pay tribute to Soviet soldiers at the ‘Tomb of the Unknown Soldier’ and meet members of the Indian community later on Tuesday. His itinerary reflects a blend of diplomatic engagement and efforts to strengthen cultural ties.
Singh’s three-day visit to Russia, which began on Sunday night, included a significant milestone on its first day. On Monday, he participated in the commissioning of the Guided Missile Frigate INS Tushil (F 70) into the Indian Navy at Kaliningrad, marking another step in Indo-Russian defence cooperation.
The Defence Minister’s visit follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s trip to Russia in October, during which the Prime Minister attended the 22nd India-Russia Summit and participated in the Brics Summit in Kazan.
The ongoing high-level engagements underline the strategic importance of the India-Russia relationship and its role in ensuring regional and global stability.
