India–Russia Defence Commission Meets in New Delhi

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 5th Dec: Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh and Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov on Thursday co-chaired the 22nd India–Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military & Military Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-M&MTC) at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi. The meeting comes ahead of the 23rd India–Russia Annual Summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin.

Both ministers reaffirmed that the India–Russia partnership is rooted in deep trust, common principles and longstanding mutual respect. Singh emphasised the Government’s commitment to strengthening indigenous defence manufacturing for domestic use and exports under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision. He highlighted emerging opportunities for collaboration in advanced and niche defence technologies.

Belousov underscored the strategic depth of the bilateral relationship, noting that the two countries are united by decades of defence cooperation and friendship. He said the Russian defence industry stands ready to support India’s efforts to become self-reliant in defence production. The Russian Minister also invited Rajnath Singh to co-chair the 23rd session of the commission in 2026.

At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides signed the protocol outlining ongoing and future areas of cooperation in military and military-technical domains.

Before the talks, Rajnath Singh and Belousov laid a wreath at the National War Memorial in New Delhi to honour India’s fallen soldiers. The visiting dignitary also inspected a Ceremonial Tri-Service Guard of Honour.