India-Russia Talk About Strengthening Defense Ties
MOSCOW- In the backdrop of harsh rhetoric against India by US President Donald Trump and 50% tariffs on Indian goods because of New Delhi’s oil purchases from Russia, India and Russia seem to be tightening their ties.
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval is in Moscow, holding meetings with senior Russian officials to discuss India-Russia defense and security cooperation.
Russia’s Deputy Defense Minister, Colonel General Aleksandr Fomin, on August 6 held a meeting with Vinay Kumar, India’s Ambassador to Russia. The two sides discussed ways to further intensify the multifaceted India-Russia Special Privileged Strategic Partnership.
‘During the talks, the sides discussed topical issues of bilateral cooperation in the defence sphere, confirmed the focus on further strengthening the specialized cooperation in the form of a particularly privileged strategic partnership,’ a statement from the Russian Defense Ministry read.
‘The meeting took place in a warm and friendly atmosphere which is traditional for the Russian-Indian relations,’ it added.
India has a longstanding and wide-ranging cooperation with Russia in the field of defense. Both countries have been involved in several bilateral projects, including the supply of S-400 missile systems, the licensed production of T-90 tanks and Su-30 MKI aircraft, the supply of MiG-29s and Kamov helicopters, the INS Vikramaditya (formerly Admiral Gorshkov), and the production of AK-203 rifles and BrahMos missiles in India.
New Delhi and Moscow acknowledge that their military technical cooperation has evolved from a buyer-seller framework to one involving joint research and development, co-development, and joint production of advanced defense technology and systems.
As the Indian Armed Forces successfully retaliated and inflicted significant losses on Pakistan during the decisive ‘Operation Sindoor’ in May this year, the S-400 air defense system was credited with shooting down several incoming missiles from across the border.
Considering the strategic planning and military preparedness, New Delhi is set to procure more S-400 air defense systems soon. (IANS)
