Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who is on a three-day official visit to Russia, met Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin on Tuesday. Singh, who arrived in Moscow on Sunday night, expressed the depth and strength of the longstanding India-Russia friendship, which he described as “higher than the highest mountain and deeper than the deepest ocean.” The meeting between the two leaders comes at a time when both countries are reaffirming their commitment to deepening bilateral ties, particularly in the area of defence cooperation.
During the meeting, Singh and Putin discussed a wide range of issues concerning bilateral defence cooperation. The two leaders acknowledged the immense potential of the India-Russia partnership and expressed confidence that their combined efforts would lead to remarkable outcomes for both nations. The Defence Ministry of India stated that Singh and Putin’s discussion was focused on enhancing military and strategic ties, with both leaders agreeing that there is a great opportunity to further strengthen the defence relationship between the two countries.
Singh’s visit also included co-chairing the 21st session of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military and Military Cooperation alongside his Russian counterpart, Andrey Belousov. The session provided a platform to further consolidate the already strong defence ties between India and Russia, with a special focus on joint military ventures, arms trade, and strategic collaboration in various defence-related fields.
The Defence Ministry’s statement highlighted that the meeting between Singh and Putin reflected the mutual desire to enhance defence cooperation and further solidify the ties that have traditionally defined India-Russia relations. The two countries share a robust military and economic partnership, with Russia being one of India’s key defence partners for decades. The discussion between Singh and Putin, including the developments at the Inter-Governmental Commission session, is expected to pave the way for greater collaboration in defence technology and manufacturing.
Singh’s visit is seen as a key part of India’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its relationships with key global powers, particularly in the defence sector. With both nations prioritizing security and strategic interests, the outcome of the discussions is expected to have a lasting impact on the future of Indo-Russian relations.
