Steel Cut

A FORCE Report

Calling on Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on December 10, on the margins of the 21st session of India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military and Military Cooperation (IRIGC-M&MTC), defence minister Rajnath Singh said, “Friendship between our countries is higher than the highest mountain and deeper than the deepest ocean.”

After conveying warm greetings of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to President Putin, Singh discussed various issues of bilateral defence cooperation with Putin. Both leaders expressed that partnership between both countries holds immense potential and combined efforts will pave way for remarkable outcomes.

Earlier in the day, Singh co-chaired the 21st session of IRIGC-M&MTC with his Russian counterpart Andrei Belousov. During the meeting, Singh emphasised upon the strength of the India-Russia bilateral relationship, which has lived up to the responsibilities of a special and privileged strategic partnership. He added that the ties have further strengthened with the recent exchanges including two visits of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Russia in 2024.

Singh voiced the government of India’s determination to extend the capabilities of its domestic defence industry across domains and industrial collaboration. He stressed on new opportunities for enhancing participation of Russian industries in the ‘Make in India’ projects. He reiterated India’s commitment towards special and privileged strategic partnership with Russia.

Belousov agreed that Russia and India have a strong, time-honoured friendship, based on mutual respect, where the trusting relations of the leaders of the two states play a key role in strengthening bilateral ties.

“The results of the meetings of President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister of the Republic of India Narendra Mod