Moscow: Russia on Thursday reiterated its commitment to ensure the success of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ambitious ‘Make-in-India’ programme, including substantial participation in the forthcoming Aero India Exhibition to be held in February next year.
Defence minister Rajnath Singh, who is on a 2-day visit to Russia to attend Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) defence ministers meet, held an hour-long meeting with his Russian counterpart Gen Sergey Shoigu and discussed a broad range of areas of cooperation between the two countries.
“The meeting was marked by the traditional warmth and friendship, characteristic of the Special & Privileged Partnership between India and the Russian Federation in which Military Technical Cooperation and Military-to-Military cooperation constitutes an important pillar,” the Indian defence ministry said in a statement.
Excellent meeting with the Russian Defence Minister General Sergey Shoigu in Moscow today. We talked about a wide range of issues, particularly how to deepen defence and strategic cooperation between both the countries.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) September 3, 2020
Gen Shoigu’s meeting with the Indian minister was the first meeting among the visiting defence ministers.
The meeting was coincided with the Indra Naval Exercises to be conducted by the Indian and Russian navies off the Straits of Malacca over the next two days.
Mr Singh noted that these exercises demonstrated the common interests of both countries in maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region.
“There was substantial commonality in positions with respect to challenges at the regional and international levels in the areas of peace and security, reflective of the deep trust and confidence that both sides enjoy as Strategic Partners,” Mr Singh noted.
Gen Shoigu conveyed his warm appreciation to Mr Singh for his participation in the 75th Anniversary of Victory Day Parade at Red Square on June 24 and his participation in the joint meeting of the SCO,CIS & CSTO countries.
General Shoigu reiterated commitment of the Russian side to engage actively with our MOD to ensure the success of 'Make-in-India' programme including substantial participation in the forthcoming Aero India Exhibition to be held in February next year.
— रक्षा मंत्री कार्यालय/ RMO India (@DefenceMinIndia) September 3, 2020
Further, Mr Singh conveyed appreciation for the steadfast support provided by Russia consistent with the defence and security needs of India, and in this context, particularly noted the timely manner in which the Russian had responded to requests for procurement of particular weapon systems.
Both sides would continue to maintain contacts to ensure the timely delivery, it added.
He also briefed his Russian counterpart about
‘Make-in-India’ defence programme in the context of Prime Minister's Aatma Nirbhar Bharat vision.
Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh extended an invitation for Gen. Shoigu to visit India for the next meeting of the IGC for Technical & Military Cooperation. @MEAIndia @IndianDiplomacy @mfa_russia @mod_russia @DefenceMinIndia @SpokespersonMoD @adgpi @DefProdnIndia @rajnathsingh https://t.co/zpIMG9pNsk pic.twitter.com/wM145gtNiy
— India in Russia (@IndEmbMoscow) September 3, 2020
Both sides welcomed the advance stage of discussions for the establishment in India of an India-Russian Joint Venture for the production of AK203 assault rifles which are considered one of the most modern weapons available for infantry forces, it said.
Mr Singh extended an invitation for Gen. Shoigu to visit India for the next meeting of the Inter-Governmental Commission for Technical & Military Cooperation which is expected to be held towards the end of this year.
