India-Russia Ties Deepen: Rajnath Singh Meets Putin, Pushes for Expedited Defence Cooperation

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Tuesday, reaffirming India’s enduring friendship with Russia. Singh emphasized the strength of the India-Russia relationship, describing it as "higher than the highest mountain and deeper than the deepest ocean."

P24 News Media

December 10, 2024

1 minute

India-Russia Ties Deepen: Rajnath Singh Meets Putin, Pushes for Expedited Defence Cooperation

Politics

During the meeting, Singh expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality and discussed a range of bilateral defence cooperation topics. Both leaders highlighted the immense potential of the partnership and stressed the importance of collaborative efforts for achieving significant outcomes. Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov also participated in the discussions.

Singh’s three-day visit includes engagements to strengthen defence ties under the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military-Technical Cooperation (IRIGC M&MTC). He urged Russia to expedite the delivery of the remaining units of the S-400 Triumf surface-to-air missile systems and reviewed ongoing defence collaborations. In a post on X, Singh reiterated India’s commitment to deepening the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership with Russia.

Earlier in the day, Singh paid tribute to Soviet soldiers who perished during World War II by laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Moscow. He also met with the Indian diaspora in Russia, commending their contributions and sharing India’s development trajectory.

On Monday, Singh oversaw the commissioning of the Indian Navy's Russian-manufactured guided missile frigate INS Tushil in Kaliningrad. The addition of the warship is expected to enhance India’s naval capabilities, particularly in the Indian Ocean, where China’s presence has been expanding in recent years.

The visit aligns with preparations for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s upcoming trip to India in early 2025, following an invitation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The visit is expected to further bolster ties between the two nations.