Putin hails India–Russia defence talk, reaffirms half-century strategic military partnership
By Anjali Sharma
WASHINGTON – President of Russia Vladimir Putin on Friday made a statement a day after defence ministers of both the nations co-chaired the 22nd session of the India–Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military and Military Technical Cooperation.
Putin reaffirmed the enduring strategic weight of one of India’s most time-tested defence partnerships.
He expressed satisfaction over the outcome of the defence negotiations held with India during the two-day 23rd India–Russia Annual Summit in the national capital.
Putin in a joint statement said, “Our country for the last half a century has been helping to arm and modernize the Indian army, including the air defence forces, aviation, and the Navy. In general, we are undoubtedly satisfied with the results of the negotiation we just had.”
He stated that he also met President of India, Droupadi Murmu, the Russian President said, “I can express my confidence that the current visit and the agreements reached will help the further deepening of the Russian-Indian strategic partnership for the benefit of our countries and the people, the peoples of India and Russia.”
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Russian counterpart Andrei Belousov reiterated that bilateral defence ties remain anchored in deep trust, shared principles and mutual respect.
Both sides explored new avenues of collaboration in niche defence technologies, with Russia expressed readiness to support India’s push towards self-reliance in defence production.
Singh voiced the Government of India’s determination for capacity building of its indigenous defence industry for both local production and exports, under the vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.
He also stressed on new opportunities for enhancing collaboration between both counties across niche technologies.
The Russian Defence Minister emphasized on deepening the relationship between both the countries which is based on mutual trust. He highlighted that both countries are united by many years of friendship and strategic cooperation.
He stated that the Russian Defence Industry is ready to support India towards becoming self-reliant in the field of defence production. Minister Belousov also invited the defence minister to visit Russia to co-chair the 23rd session of IRIGC-M&MTC in 2026.
Both ministers signed the protocol of the 22nd IRIGC-M&MTC meeting highlighting the ongoing and prospective areas of cooperation.
The meeting was also attended by the chiefs of the three services-General Upender Dwivedi, Air Marshal AP Singh and Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, along with the Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, according to media reports.
