India and Russia decide to strengthen their defense
relationships
India and Russia
have had a long-standing defense relationship, dating back to the Soviet era.
Over the years, the two countries have collaborated on a range of defense
projects, including the joint development and production of military hardware
such as the BrahMos cruise missile, Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter aircraft, and T-90
tanks.
In a recent
meeting between the Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and his Russian
counterpart Sergey Shoigu, the two sides agreed to further enhance their
defence ties. The meeting took place in Moscow, where the two ministers
attended the 9th Moscow Conference on International Security.
During their
talks, Singh and Shoigu reviewed the progress made in existing defense projects
and discussed potential new areas of cooperation. They expressed satisfaction
with the ongoing production of the AK-203 assault rifles in India, which is
being manufactured under a joint venture between India's Ordnance Factory Board
and Russia's Kalashnikov Concern.
The two sides
also discussed the possibility of setting up joint ventures in India for the
production of military hardware such as ammunition and spares for Russian-made
equipment used by the Indian armed forces.
In addition, the
two sides agreed to hold joint military exercises in 2022, involving all three
services - Army, Navy and Air Force. This would be a significant step in
strengthening military-to-military cooperation between the two countries.
The defense
ministers also discussed regional security issues, including the situation in
Afghanistan and the threat of terrorism. They reaffirmed their commitment to
work together to address these challenges.
India and
Russia's defense ties have been under some strain in recent years due to
India's growing strategic partnership with the United States. However, the two
sides have worked to maintain their relationship, recognizing the importance of
their defense partnership to both countries.
Overall, the
agreement to boost defense ties between India and Russia is a positive
development for both countries. It demonstrates the continuing strength of
their strategic partnership and their shared commitment to maintaining regional
stability and security.
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