By Anjali Sharma
WASHINGTON – India and Russia on Friday held an expert panel meeting in New Delhi from November 26 to 28 to discuss military and its technical cooperation.
The Defence Ministry informed that the meeting was co-chaired by Joint Secretary (International Cooperation) Amitabh Prasad and Deputy Chief of FSMTC (Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation) Yashin Sergey Borisovich.
Both sides reaffirmed the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia during the discussions.
The Defence Ministry posted on X “India-Russia Expert Panel Meeting was held in New Delhi from 26-28 Nov 2025, co-chaired by JS (International Cooperation) Shri Amitabh Prasad and Deputy Chief, FSMTC Mr Yashin Sergey Borisovich.
Both sides discussed Military & Military Technical Cooperation and reaffirmed the Special & Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia”.
The delegation from the Russian Land Forces visited formations of the Indian Army from November 26 to 28 to strengthen defence cooperation and share expertise, the statement said.
The Indian Army said that the visit focused on the exchange of knowledge in the field of “integrated safety and security of defence infrastructure.”
“The visit aimed to facilitate expert exchange in the field of ‘Integrated Safety and Security of Defence Infrastructure. The delegation’s interactions reflected the enduring spirit of defence cooperation, innovation and strategic partnership, further strengthening the long-standing defence ties between India and Russia,” the Army posted on X.
Russian President Vladimir Putin will pay a state visit to India from December 4-5 at the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Mr. Putin will attend the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit and hold talks with PM Modi, according to an official statement by the Ministry of External Affairs on Friday.
The President of India will also receive Putin and host a banquet in his honour.
The visit will provide an opportunity for the leadership of India and Russia to review progress in bilateral relations, outline the vision for strengthening the ‘Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership’ and exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, the MEA statement said.
The upcoming visit will mark Putin’s first to India since 2021.
Both leaders met in person on September 1 in Tianjin, China, on the sidelines of the SCO Summit.
Kremlin has described Putin’s upcoming visit to India as an important moment for both nations.
Russian state news agency TASS cited a Kremlin statement, “The visit is of great importance, providing an opportunity to comprehensively discuss the extensive agenda of Russian-Indian relations within the particularly privileged strategic partnership in the political, trade, economic, scientific, technological, cultural, and humanitarian spheres, as well as to consider topical international and regional issues.”
“These issues will be at the heart of negotiations with the Indian delegation led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” the Kremlin said as per TASS.Ministry of External Affairs said that preparations for the annual summit are already underway, with Putin’s December arrival aligning with the state visit outlined by the MEA.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, responded to media queries said the dates will be announced soon and noted that both nations are working to strengthen bilateral ties.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Putin in Moscow last week ahead of the annual summit. Jaishankar had also conveyed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s greetings during the meeting.
Jaishankar wrote on ‘X’ “Honored to call on President Putin of Russia in Moscow today. Conveyed greetings of Prime Minister @narendramodi. Apprised him of preparations underway for the upcoming Annual India-Russia Summit. Also discussed regional and global developments. Deeply value his perspectives and guidance on further advancement of our ties.”
Kremlin also said Russia is “actively preparing” for President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India, expected before the end of the year, TASS stated.
India and Russia signed the Declaration on Strategic Partnership in 2000, established the framework for annual summits and cooperation across political, defence, economic and technological sectors.
In 2010, the relationship was elevated to a “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.”
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