Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Dhiraj Seth on Saturday visited the Mikhailovskaya Military Artillery Academy in St. Petersburg, Russia, engaging with faculty on artillery training methodologies and modernisation programmes. The visit is part of a three-day official trip to Russia that began on Wednesday, aimed at deepening the longstanding India-Russia defence partnership and military-to-military cooperation.

Cannon Honour at Peter and Paul Fortress

During the academy visit, General Seth was accorded the rare distinction of firing the traditional cannon at the historic Peter and Paul Fortress — an honour typically reserved for distinguished guests. The Indian Army, in an official post on X (formerly Twitter), described the moment as an opportunity that 'underscored the importance of institutional exchanges, sharing of best practices and strengthening professional military cooperation between India and Russia.'

Moscow Engagements: Deputy Defence Minister and Land Forces HQ

On Friday, General Seth held a substantive meeting with General Yunus-Bek Yevkurov, Deputy Minister of Defence of the Russian Federation, at the Russian Ministry of Defence in Moscow. Discussions centred on joint capability development, professional military exchanges, and avenues for enhanced military-to-military engagement — areas that form the backbone of the bilateral defence relationship. The Army also posted that General Seth visited the Russian Land Forces Headquarters, where talks focused on deepening cooperation, expanding training engagements, and strengthening capability development between the two armies.

Separately, the COAS met Vinay Kumar, India's Ambassador to Russia, and discussed bilateral cooperation measures and pathways for deepening defence ties between the two nations.

Tribute at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

On Thursday, General Seth received a ceremonial Guard of Honour and paid homage at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Moscow — a monument dedicated to Soviet soldiers who laid down their lives during World War II. The gesture carries symbolic weight, reflecting India's recognition of the historical sacrifices of the Soviet military.

Strategic Significance of the Visit

India and Russia share one of the world's oldest and most institutionalised defence partnerships, with Russia historically being India's largest arms supplier. This visit comes amid a broader Indian diplomatic push to reinforce ties with Moscow even as New Delhi simultaneously deepens strategic engagement with Western partners. The Ministry of Defence had noted ahead of the visit that 'the interactions are expected to further deepen military cooperation and reinforce the enduring defence relationship between India and Russia.' Notably, this is among the highest-profile India-Russia military exchanges of 2026, with artillery cooperation — a domain where Russia retains significant expertise — forming a central agenda item. With India's ongoing push for military modernisation and indigenisation, engagements at institutions like the Mikhailovskaya Military Artillery Academy offer a direct channel for training and technology best-practice sharing. All eyes will now be on whether this visit translates into concrete joint development agreements or expanded training programmes in the months ahead.