Indian Defense Minister Singh expresses hope for strong cooperation with Russian Federation

New Delhi hopes for strong cooperation with Moscow in the defense sector. Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said this at the 21st meeting of the India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Military and Military-Technical Cooperation in Moscow on December 10.

"In the defense sector, we must work together to address new challenges and build a strong partnership. We look forward to this," Singh said.

During the meeting, the Indian minister met Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov and said New Delhi is looking at new areas of joint work with Russia and is focusing on improving cooperation and expanding the economic component of the two countries' relations.

Singh said defense interaction is an important aspect of India-Russia's special and privileged strategic partnership. The military and military-technical ties between the two nations relate to joint development, production and export opportunities to other countries. The minister pointed out that such cooperation between Moscow and New Delhi shows a high level of mutual trust and understanding between the countries' security and defense bodies. Singh expressed confidence that the countries will continue this positive work.

The Indian minister added that the intergovernmental commission meeting was held against the backdrop of a complicated geopolitical situation, but regular contacts between Russia and India point to progress in relations and help outline milestones of cooperation in various spheres.

Earlier in the day, Belousov at a meeting with Singh drew attention to the fact that cooperation between Moscow and New Delhi on defense issues is successfully developing both at the bilateral level and in international organizations. The head of the Russian Defense Ministry noted that the trusting relationship between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi plays an important role in strengthening the partnership.

On December 9, the Indian Defense Minister took part in the ceremonial handover of the Project 11356 Tushil ("Shield") frigate to the Indian Navy in Kaliningrad. On December 10, Singh laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Alexandrovsky Garden in Moscow.

On June 21, the Russian government approved the signing of an agreement between Russia and India on mutual dispatch of troops, warships and aircraft on the territories of the two countries. This project was preliminarily worked out with the Indian side. On August 23, a delegation of the Russian Defense Ministry during a visit to India discussed with its counterparts the possibilities of expanding naval cooperation between the two countries.