India-Russia 24th Working Group meet reviews defence co-production in New Delhi
Synopsis
India and Russia have held the 24th edition of their defence Working Group in New Delhi, reviewing co-production plans just weeks after an Indian Army chief's first Russia visit in eight years and a Russian naval delegation's Kerala tour — signalling that the bilateral strategic partnership is being actively reinforced across all three services.
Key Takeaways
The 24th Working Group meeting of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military Technical Cooperation was held in New Delhi on 8 October 2026 .
The session was co-chaired by Secretary (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar (India) and First Deputy Director FSMTC Andrey A.
A six-member Russian Navy delegation visited the Southern Naval Command and Indian Naval Academy, Kerala from 27 September to 1 October 2026 .
Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth completed a three-day visit to Russia — the first by an Indian Army chief in eight years — last month.
Talks across all interactions focused on co-production, co-development, interoperability , and expanding institutional defence linkages.
India and Russia on Thursday, 8 October 2026 convened the inaugural session of the 24th Working Group meeting of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military Technical Cooperation and Defence Industry in New Delhi, focusing on existing military-technical cooperation and new co-production and co-development initiatives. The meeting signals a deliberate intensification of bilateral defence engagement at a time when both nations are investing political capital in their strategic partnership.
Who Led the Talks
The session was co-chaired by Secretary (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar from the Indian side and First Deputy Director of Russia's Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC), Andrey A. Boytsov, from the Russian side. Senior officials from both governments joined the deliberations, according to a statement by India's Ministry of Defence posted on X.
The discussions were centred on reviewing the current state of military-technical cooperation and exploring pathways for co-production and co-development to further cement what both sides describe as the India-Russia Strategic Partnership in Defence.
Recent Naval and Army Engagement
The Working Group session comes on the heels of a series of high-profile bilateral defence interactions. Last week, a six-member Russian Navy delegation led by Captain 1st Rank Sergei V. Saitov visited the Southern Naval Command and the Indian Naval Academy in Kerala from 27 September to 1 October 2026.
The delegation familiarised itself with the Indian Navy's training architecture, infrastructure, and facilities. 'Discussions explored avenues to deepen maritime cooperation, enhance interoperability and further consolidate institutional and professional linkages. A reflection of the enduring naval partnership between India and Russia,' the Indian Navy stated on X following the visit.
Prior to that, Indian Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth concluded a three-day official visit to Russia — the first by an Indian Army chief in eight years — giving fresh impetus to Army-to-Army cooperation. During the visit, General Seth met Russia's Deputy Minister of Defence General Yunus-Bek Yevkurov and Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Land Forces Colonel General Andrei Mordvichev, with talks focused on joint capability development, training exchanges, and operational experience sharing, according to the Indian Army's Additional Directorate of Public Information (ADGPI).
Strategic Context and What It Signals
The cumulative pace of engagement — Working Group sessions, naval visits, and an Army chief's rare Russia trip within the span of weeks — reflects continued efforts by both nations to preserve and deepen longstanding defence ties despite a shifting global geopolitical landscape. India has historically relied on Russian-origin defence platforms and continues to explore deeper localisation through co-production arrangements.
Notably, the push for co-development and co-production aligns with India's broader Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) defence manufacturing agenda, which seeks to reduce import dependence while building domestic industrial capability through international partnerships.
What to Watch Next
The Working Group's deliberations are expected to feed into the higher-level Inter-Governmental Commission, where policy decisions on specific co-production programmes would be finalised. Observers will track whether concrete project announcements — particularly on platforms such as helicopters, frigates, or artillery systems — emerge in the weeks following this session.
Point of View
A naval delegation visit, and a rare Army chief's trip to Moscow — within a matter of weeks is not coincidental. It reflects India's calibrated effort to keep the Russia defence channel open and productive even as Western partners press New Delhi to distance itself from Moscow. The co-production framing is also significant: India is no longer content to be a buyer; it wants technology transfers and domestic manufacturing stakes, and Russia, constrained by sanctions and war-related production pressures, has incentives to offer them. The real test will be whether the Working Group's deliberations translate into signed project agreements, or remain at the level of institutional goodwill.
NationPress
8 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was discussed at the 24th India-Russia Working Group meeting?
The meeting, held in New Delhi on 8 October 2026, focused on reviewing existing military-technical cooperation and forging new co-production and co-development initiatives to strengthen the India-Russia Strategic Partnership in Defence. It was co-chaired by Secretary (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar and Russia's FSMTC First Deputy Director Andrey A. Boytsov.
Who led the recent Russian Navy delegation visit to India?
The six-member Russian Navy delegation was led by Captain 1st Rank Sergei V. Saitov. The team visited the Southern Naval Command and the Indian Naval Academy in Kerala from 27 September to 1 October 2026, focusing on training architecture, interoperability, and maritime cooperation.
When did Indian Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth visit Russia?
General Dhiraj Seth concluded a three-day official visit to Russia last month, making it the first visit by an Indian Army chief to Russia in eight years. He met senior Russian military leaders including Deputy Defence Minister General Yunus-Bek Yevkurov and Land Forces Commander Colonel General Andrei Mordvichev.
What is the significance of India-Russia co-production discussions?
Co-production and co-development initiatives allow India to move beyond being a buyer of Russian defence equipment toward building domestic manufacturing capability, aligning with India's Aatmanirbhar Bharat defence agenda. This shift gives India technology access while giving Russia a production partner amid global sanctions pressure.
What comes next after the Working Group meeting?
The Working Group's outcomes are expected to be taken up at the higher-level Inter-Governmental Commission, where specific co-production programme decisions would be made. Analysts will watch for concrete project announcements on platforms such as helicopters, frigates, or artillery systems in the coming weeks.
