How Are India and Russia Strengthening Their Defence Partnership During Putin's Visit?
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Synopsis
In a landmark meeting, PM Modi and President Putin reaffirmed the strong defence ties between India and Russia, focusing on joint manufacturing and technological collaboration. This partnership marks a crucial step toward strengthening India's self-reliance in defence production, paving the way for future exports and enhanced military cooperation. Discover how this summit shapes the future of defence.
Key Takeaways
- Strengthened defence ties between India and Russia.
- Focus on joint manufacturing under the Make-in-India initiative.
- Commitment to self-reliance in defence production.
- Positive outcomes from the IRIGC-M&MTC session.
- Expansion of military cooperation activities.
New Delhi, Dec 5 (NationPress) Describing it as a cornerstone of the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between the two nations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday recognized that India and Russia are shifting their military and military-technical collaboration towards joint research and development, co-development, and co-production of cutting-edge defence technologies and systems.
This partnership, which has evolved robustly over decades of collaborative efforts, is guided by the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military and Military Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-M&MTC), whose 22nd session was held at New Delhi's Manekshaw Centre on Thursday, co-chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Russian counterpart Andrei Belousov.
During their discussions on Friday, PM Modi and Putin expressed satisfaction with the outcomes of the IRIGC-M&MTC session and appreciated the ongoing military engagements, including the forthcoming meeting of Defence Ministers in Qingdao in June 2025 during the SCO Defence Ministers’ Meeting.
"Both parties also agreed to promote joint manufacturing in India of spare parts, components, aggregates, and other products for maintaining arms and defence equipment of Russian origin under the Make-in-India initiative through technology transfer and establishing joint ventures to satisfy the needs of the Indian Armed Forces, with prospects for subsequent exports to friendly third nations," stated the Joint Statement following the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit.
India and Russia also commended the Joint Military Exercises Indra and reaffirmed their commitment to sustain the momentum of joint military cooperation and enhance military delegation exchanges.
"The 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit provided a platform for comprehensive discussions on various facets of our cooperation. We have agreed on an Economic Cooperation Programme until 2030 to diversify our trade and investment connections. We deliberated on improving connectivity and enhancing collaboration in shipbuilding, skills, energy, critical minerals, and much more," PM Modi shared on X after the meeting.
On Thursday, during his discussions with Belousov, Singh reiterated the Indian government's commitment to developing its indigenous defence industry for local production and exports, aligned with the vision of 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat'. He also emphasized new opportunities for collaboration between the two nations in niche technologies.
As per the Ministry of Defence, the visiting Russian Defence Minister highlighted the importance of deepening ties between the two nations, which he described as based on mutual trust. He noted that the long-standing friendship and strategic collaboration unite both countries. He also mentioned that the Russian defence industry stands ready to assist India in achieving self-reliance in defence production.
Point of View
It's crucial to recognize the strategic importance of the India-Russia defence partnership. This collaboration not only strengthens India's military capabilities but also emphasizes self-reliance in production. The ongoing dialogue between leaders showcases a united front in addressing regional and global security challenges, which is essential for national interest.
NationPress
05/12/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the India-Russia defence partnership?
The India-Russia defence partnership is crucial as it enhances military capabilities through joint research and development, ensuring self-reliance in defence production.
How does the Make-in-India initiative relate to this partnership?
The Make-in-India initiative is integral to the partnership, promoting local manufacturing of defence components and technology transfer to bolster India's defence industry.
What are the expected outcomes of the recent summit?
The summit is expected to enhance military cooperation, expand trade relations, and foster collaboration in critical technologies between India and Russia.
