Defence Minister Rajanth Singh today said that India-Russia ties continue to deepen despite global uncertainty, describing Russia as India’s time-tested special and strategic partner. He said this in his opening remarks while co-chairing the 22nd India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military and Military Technical Cooperation ministerial meeting with his Russian counterpart Andrei Belousov in New Delhi. Mr. Singh said that since the signing of the India-Russia Strategic Partnership declaration in 2000, the bilateral defence cooperation between the two nations has grown significantly.
Recalling the extensive interactions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit in China in June this year, Mr. Singh said that both leaders have maintained regular dialogue. Mr Singh further said that on the economic side, the country welcomes the successful organisation of the 26th meeting of the India-Russia Working Group on Trade and Economic Cooperation, held last month in Moscow. He added that India also welcomes the start of negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union.
Meanwhile, Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov said, India-Russia relations have deepened with a solid time-proven friendship which is based on mutual respect. He said both nations are bound with very deep traditions. Mr Belousov said bilateral relations between both countries have a strategic character and the partnership with India is a key factor for the balance in the South Asian region and global security.
Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, Air Force Chief Air Marshal Amanpreet Singh and Naval Chief Vice Admiral Dinesh Tripathi were also present on the occasion.
