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India under no global pressure to shun Russian oil: Puri

Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri meets with US energy secretary Jennifer Granholm.

In a bilateral meeting with US energy secretary Jennifer Granholm, Puri said that the Indian government has a moral duty to provide energy to its citizens and it will continue to buy oil from wherever it has to, reports Asian Lite News

Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri on Saturday said that India is under no pressure to shun Russian oil.

In a bilateral meeting with US energy secretary Jennifer Granholm, Puri said that the Indian government has a moral duty to provide energy to its citizens and it will continue to buy oil from wherever it has to.

Have I been told by anyone to stop buying Russian oil? The answer is a categorical No,” Puri told reporters in Washington.

“India will buy oil from wherever it has to for the simple reason that this kind of a discussion cannot be taken to the consuming population of India,” he added.

Since the start of the Ukraine conflict. India has sought to carve a middle path between Moscow and its Western critics and so far largely resisted Western pressure to cut its economic ties with the Kremlin.

Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri meets with US energy secretary Jennifer Granholm.

The US is holding “deep talks” with India over the latter’s reliance on Russian arms and oil, according to media reports citing a state department official. The official claimed that Indian representatives are starting to look at other markets to meet their demands as they try to become less dependent on Moscow for oil purchases.

Notably, the European Union (EU) on Thursday (local time) adopted its latest package of sanctions against Russia over the illegal annexation of Ukraine’s Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions.

The EU adopted restrictive measures against an additional 30 individuals and seven entities, read the EU’s statement.

EU sanctions (8th package since the Ukraine war began) aim to force Russia to reduce prices & lose oil revenue. But at imports to the tune of 1.7 million barrels per day, the EU is still the biggest market for Russian crude.

Moreover, the EU is trying to determine the pricing of Russian oil through its insurance firms as Russia is the world’s largest oil exporter.

The European insurers rule commercial oil tankers by providing them with massive insurance. The EU sanctions ll forbid these insurers from providing services to Russian companies selling oil above the price cap.

A delegation led by India’s Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri are having discussions with the US delegation led by energy secretary Jennifer Granholm.

Moreover, EU’s sanctions package on Russia will impact countries like India. EU is capping what other countries can pay for Russian oil. It bans the sale of oil above that price. This applies only to oil transported by sea. While, the EU members importing Russian oil by pipeline won’t be hurt by these sanctions.

Puri highlighted India is one of the largest oil importer and the demand is expected to rise driven by an increase in India’s per capita consumption of energy which currently stands at one-third of the global average. Puri further stressed that the fuel demand is expected to keep rising as the country’s economy grows.

It is pertinent to note that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also on several platforms had explained India’s decision to continue buying Russian oil. Recently, Jaishankar said PM Modi’s advice on the issue was to do what is best for the nation. “Due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, petrol prices doubled. We had pressure from where to buy the oil but Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the government were of the view that we have to do what is the best for our nation,” Jaishankar said. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Crimean bridge explosion just the beginning: Ukraine

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‘We recognise economic reasoning’: US on India buying Russian oil

US President Joe Biden's Spokesperson Jen Psaki briefs reporters on Tuesday, March 15, 2022. (Photo: White House)

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said US officials have been in touch “with Indian leaders at a range of levels” but Biden has himself not reached out to them on the issue, reports Arul Louis

The US may show understanding of India’s plans to buy discounted oil for economic reasons from Russia, US President Joe Biden’s spokesperson Jen Psaki has indicated.

Asked at her daily briefing on Friday about “largest democracy” India buying oil from Moscow, she said that while the US has banned Russian oil import, “every country has not made that decision. And we recognise that and they have different economic reasoning as to why different countries do including some in Europe”.

She said that US officials have been in touch “with Indian leaders at a range of levels” but Biden has himself not reached out to them on the issue.

A senior-level US delegation headed by Under Secretary for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland is starting a South Asia tour from Saturday during which it is scheduled to hold meetings with Indian officials.

“What we would project or convey to anyone around the world is that the world, the rest of the world, is watching where you’re going to stand as it relates to conflict, whether its support for Russia in any form,” she said.

Psaki had said at her briefing on Tuesday that India would not be violating US sanctions if it imported oil from Russia.

While some major Russian petroleum companies have been put under US sanctions, Washington has not banned the buying of oil, gas or coal because of the devastating impact that would have on its close European allies that depend on Moscow for a sizable part of their energy needs.

Because of the impact of soaring oil prices on the economy, India’s Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has said that “discussions are underway” for buying oil from Russia, but “there are several issues to be gone into like how much oil is available”, as well as payment for it and transportation.

Accounting for under 3 per cent, Russia is not a major supplier of oil to India, which gets most of it from the Middle East, while the US is also emerging as an important source for it.

India’s proposal to buy oil from Russia has come under criticism in the US.

Indian-American member of the House of Representatives, Ami Bera, who heads the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia, said that if it decided to buy the cheap Russian oil, “New Delhi would be choosing to side with (Russia’s President) Vladimir Putin at a pivotal moment in history”.

But European countries like Germany that are continuing energy purchases from Russia have not met with similar criticism.

The Biden administration and India are evolving a delicate balance at the centre of which is China on how New Delhi reacts to the Russia invasion of Ukraine.

Washington needs New Delhi as a counterpoise to Beijing and it recognises India’s existential dependence on Moscow for its weapons to defend against China.

And, India because of the need to continue arms supply from Russia has to avoid antagonising it.

India has abstained on three resolutions in the UN Security Council on Ukraine and another in the General Assembly, while also continuing its economic ties to Russia.

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Putin Hails India-Russia Ties

“We perceive India as a great power, a friendly nation, and a time-tested friend. The relations between our nations are growing and I am looking into the future,” President Putin said, reports Asian Lite News

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday that despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, there is no change in the pace of growth of India-Russia relations.

In his opening remarks at the annual summit meeting with the Russian President here, PM Modi said that the “special and privileged strategic partnership” between the two continues to become stronger.

“Despite the challenges posed by COVID, there is no change in the pace of growth of India-Russia relations. Our special and privileged strategic partnership continues to become stronger,” he said.

The 21st India- Russia Annual Summit is being held at Hyderabad House in New Delhi.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi.

This is the first in-person between the two leaders since they met on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in 2019 in Brasilia.

The visit of the Russian leader is in continuation of the tradition of annual summits held alternately in India and Russia.

Putin concerned over Afghanistan

Russian President Putin on Monday during his meeting with Prime Minister Modi said that Moscow is concerned over everything related to terrorism and drug trafficking, including in the context of the situation in Afghanistan.

“We are certainly worried about everything related to terrorism and the fight against it. Terrorism is also fight against drug trafficking and organized crime. In this regard, we cannot but worry about the situation and how it is developing in Afghanistan,” Putin said at the 21st India- Russia Annual Summit at the Hyderabad House.

Speaking about the ties between the two nations, the Russian President said: “We perceive India as a great power, a friendly nation, and a time-tested friend. The relations between our nations are growing and I am looking into the future,” he added.

This is the first in-person between the two leaders since they met on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in 2019 in Brasilia.

This is the first in-person between the two leaders since they met on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in 2019 in Brasilia. There have been six telephonic conversations between Modi and Putin since then apart from the virtual meetings that they’ve attended for multilateral summits.

The visit is in continuation of the tradition of annual summits held alternately in India and Russia.

Earlier in the day, the two countries held their first 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue.

The two nations today also signed an agreement for the procurement of 6,01,427 assault rifles AK-203 through Indo-Russia Rifles Pvt Ltd, under the military-technical cooperation arrangement for 2021-31.

Putin had said on Wednesday that he intends to discuss with Prime Minister Narendra Modi new “large-scale” initiatives on further developing “specially privileged” Russian-Indian relations.

“This partnership brings real mutual benefit to both states. Bilateral trade shows good dynamics; ties are actively developing in the energy sector, innovation, space, and the production of coronavirus vaccines and medicines,” Putin had said. (ANI)

ALSO READ: India, Russia Extend Military Cooperation, Ink AK-203 Rifle Deal

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India, Russia Hold First-Ever 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that the newly established 2+2 ministerial dialogue will turn into an efficient platform to talk about both regional and international issues, reports Asian Lite News

India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said that we hope that Russia will remain a major partner for India in challenging circumstances and lead us towards self-reliance.

During the first-ever 2+2 interministerial dialogue, Rajnath Singh said, “we hope that Russia will remain a major partner for India in these challenging circumstances. From the Ministry of Defense, we have urged our greater military-technical collaboration, advanced research, co-development and co-production of defence equipment, leading to the self-reliance of India.”

The defence engagements between India and Russia have progressed in an unprecedented manner in recent times, he added.

Recalling his visit to Moscow, Rajnath said, “I have had the honour of visiting Moscow twice and Dushanbe once to participate in the celebration for a victory in the Great Patriotic War and in two rounds of SCO defence ministers meetings.”

“Our officers and troops not only marched shoulder to shoulder with the Russian troops in honour of these fallen in a second world war, but also participated in a substantial manner in major exercises and activities undertaken at Russia’s initiatives,” he added.

Noting that India is optimistic about Russia’s cooperation in all the domains, Defence Minister further said that “we proposed greater engagements in Central Asia and the Indian Ocean region. India is a continuation of the vast Eurasian landmass and at the same time central in the enormous Indian Ocean region.”

Earlier, Rajnath Singh in his opening remarks during a meeting with Russian Defence Minister General Sergey Shoigu underlined the importance of the time-tested relations between India and Russia.

Defence Minister said that defence cooperation is one of the most important pillars of the bilateral partnership and thanked Russia for its strong support.

‘An efficient platform’

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Monday said that the newly established 2+2 ministerial dialogue will turn into an efficient platform to talk about both regional and international issues.

During the first-ever 2+2 ministerial dialogue, Lavrov said, “Both Russia and India have a similar worldview of a more polycentric, more multipolar, more equitable world order. We advocate similar or identical positions on the most important political and military issues.”

Russian Foreign Minister further said that he is confident that the 2+2 mechanism is going to turn into an efficient dialogue platform to talk about a wide range of topics.

“I’m confident that the new mechanism is going to turn into an efficient dialogue platform to talk about a wide range of regional and international topics a little further deepening our traditional, mutual understanding. It’ll help reinforce our specially privileged strategic partnership between our countries,” he said.

“We speak in favour of international law. We adhere to the principle of non-interference and the domestic affairs of other countries and we have great respect for the cultural and civilizational diversity of our world,” he said.

India and Russia have signed a number of agreements, contracts and protocols covering small arms and military cooperation, Rajnath Singh said on Monday following a meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergey Shoygu.

Afghan situation and repercussions for Central Asia

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday said that that the situation in Afghanistan has wider repercussions for the Central Asian region and added that both India and Russia have a common interest in ASEAN centrality.

He said India and Russia will address the emergence of multipolarity and rebalancing. “We look at the consequence of over-centralized globalisation. Long-standing challenges of terrorism, violent extremism remain among newer challenges,” Jaishankar said.

“The situation in Afghanistan has wider repercussions including for Central Asia,” Jaishankar added.

During the discussion, the EAM also said that India and Russia are working to ensure peace, progress and prosperity for the people of both countries.

“We are meeting at a critical juncture in the global geopolitical environment which is in great flux, especially in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Jaishankar said.

“As close friends and strategic partners, India and Russia have been working to safeguard our common interests and to ensure peace, progress and prosperity for our people,” he added.

During his remarks, the EAM also stressed the strong and steady ties between India and Russia and said that “Our ties have been close and time-tested, in a world that has changed so much, they have been exceptionally steady”.

“We”ve have an active, dialogue at political levels and also a strong defence partnership over many years,” Jaishankar added.

The EAM also expressed that the meeting has provided India and Russia with a suitable platform to discuss political-military issues of mutual interest.

India’s External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov.

“Our meeting gives us a suitable platform to discuss political-military issues of mutual interest that are interrelated and cross-cutting,” he said,

Earlier today, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Russian counterpart also signed the agreements for the procurement of 6,01,427 7.63x39mm assault rifles AK-203 through Indo-Russia Rifles Pvt Ltd, under the military-technical cooperation arrangement for 2021-31.

Both countries are expected to sign more than 10 agreements following annual talks between PM Modi and President Putin.

These agreements will be in the fields of space, culture, science and technology, defence etc. (ANI)

ALSO READ: India, Russia Extend Military Cooperation, Ink AK-203 Rifle Deal

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India, Russia Extend Military Cooperation, Ink AK-203 Rifle Deal

India and Russia signed an agreement for military technical cooperation from 2021-2031, reports Asian Lite News

India and Russia inked four agreements on Monday, including a contract for procurement of over six lakh AK-203 assault rifles.

The decision was taken during the meeting of the inter-governmental commission on military and military-technical cooperation in the national capital, which was chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Russian counterpart General Sergey Shoigu.

Russia

In his opening remarks, Singh termed Russia as India’s long-standing, special and privileged strategic partner, adding that the relations between the two countries are time-tested and based on common interests in multilateralism, global peace and prosperity, mutual understanding and trust, etc.

Singh appreciated Russia’s strong support for India and stressed that the close cooperation is not targeted against another country.

He expressed hope that this cooperation will bring peace, prosperity and stability in the region, adding that defence cooperation is one of the most important pillars of bilateral partnership.

ALSO READ: Enduring relevance and prospects of India-Russia ties

“The India-Russia inter-governmental commission on military and military-technical cooperation has been a well-established mechanism for the last two decades. It provides a platform to discuss and implement mutually agreed agenda for defence cooperation. You have been actively involved in these discussions for several years. I wish to acknowledge with respect your valuable personal contribution to strengthen our bilateral defence cooperation,” Singh told Shoigu.

Singh further said that the summit meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi once again reconfirms the depth and critical importance of special and privileged strategic partnership between India and Russia in the emerging geo-political circumstances.

He described the first-ever India-Russia 2+2 ministerial dialogue as a special initiative taken by the leaders of the two countries, which signals the higher relevance and necessity for cooperation between the two nations.

At the end of the meeting, both countries signed four agreements, contracts and protocol.

While the first three documents were signed by the officials of two sides, the protocol was signed by the Defence Ministers of India and Russia.

The protocol on amending an agreement between India and Russia on cooperation in the field of Kalashnikov Series small arms manufacturing dated February 18, 2019 took place.

Contract for procurement of 6,01,427 AK-203 Assault rifles through the Indo-Russia Rifles Private Limited was inked on the occasion.

Both the countries signed an agreement for military technical cooperation from 2021-2031. A protocol of the 20th India-Russia inter-governmental commission on military and military-technical cooperation was also signed by the two Defence Ministers.

The meeting was followed by the maiden 2+2 dialogue between India and Russia.

ALSO READ: India, Russia hold talks on regional, int’l issues

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India, Russia to ink 10 bilateral deals

The working visit will see Putin heading straight for talks with PM Modi immediately after his arrival in New Delhi on Monday afternoon, reports Ateet Sharma

Documents for as many as 10 bilateral agreements are being prepared which will be signed between India and Russia during Vladimir Putin’s flying visit to India scheduled for Monday.

Revealing some details of the Russian President’s one-day trip to New Delhi to attend the 21st India-Russia Annual Summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his top aide Yuri Ushakov said on Friday that the talks between the two leaders would be held without the unnecessary “protocol jumbles”.

“When preparing it, we took into account all the difficulties with the coronavirus situation, so it will be a purely working format, without unnecessary protocol clutter,” Russian media quoted Ushakov as saying.

The working visit will see Putin heading straight for talks with PM Modi immediately after his arrival in New Delhi on Monday afternoon.

The presidential aide said that, post delegation-level meeting, no specific limits have been planned for the Putin-Modi talks. He stressed that the both leaders have in the past, while communicating face-to-face, discussed “the most difficult, most delicate issues of the international situation” which could happen once again during an informal one-on-one dinner.

“The president and the prime minister will talk as much as they want. And then the departure, regardless of whether it’s late evening or night time,” Ushakov said.

This will be Putin’s only second trip abroad since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. He had travelled to Geneva in June for a Summit with the US President Joe Biden.

The Russian delegation for the New Delhi summit has also been downsized with only Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Defence Minister Sergey Shoigu, Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov, Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin and Ushakov accompanying Putin.

There will be a series of meetings which will be held on Monday before the Russian President’s arrival.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the day will start with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Russian counterpart Sergey Shoygu co-chairing the Intergovernmental Commission on Military Technical Cooperation.

Just about the same time, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will also be holding their bilateral meeting.

The meetings will be followed by the inaugural meeting of the newly instituted 2+2 dialogue mechanism at the level of the foreign and defence ministers.

“Both ministers are expected to discuss bilateral, regional and international political and defence issues within this format, as you know, we have with very few countries,” said MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi.

In the afternoon, the 21st India-Russia Annual Summit will be held where PM Modi and Putin will review the state and prospects of bilateral relations and discuss ways to further strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries.

Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov is also expected to take part in a meeting of the intergovernmental commission on trade, economic, scientific, technical and cultural cooperation.

Ushakov said on Friday that “about 10” bilateral agreements, including in the field of energy, space, culture, are planned to be signed at the end of the Russia-India summit.

“Preparations are underway, we are confident that the package of agreements in the context of the visit will be drawn up,” he said.

The top aide to the Russian President also highlighted that, in spite of the Covid-19 pandemic, the trade turnover between the two countries is recovering at a good pace.

“In January-September, it increased by more than 38%, amounting to $ 8.8 billion. Not a bad figure,” he said.

As reported by IndiaNarrative.com, the growing Modi-Putin camaraderie, and the increasing multifaceted bilateral cooperation, is highlighted by the fact that the two leaders have met each other 19 times since 2014.

Russian President Vladimir Putin presents to Modi a page from Mahatma Gandhi’s diary containing Gandhiji’s handwritten notes at Moscow in Russia.

After their last meeting at the BRICS Summit in Brasilia in November 2019, Modi and Putin have also had six telephonic conversations during the Covid-19 pandemic and several virtual interactions on various multilateral platforms.

Last week, Putin said that during his forthcoming talks with PM Modi, he will be outlining new large-scale initiatives for the further development of the especially privileged Russian-Indian relationship, the Russian-Indian strategic partnership.

He said that this partnership brings real mutual benefit to both states as bilateral trade shows good dynamics; ties are actively developing in the energy sector, innovation, space, and the production of coronavirus vaccines and medicines.

The Russian President also mentioned the extensive cooperation in the defence sector, including through the creation of joint ventures.

“India is one of the authoritative centres of the multipolar world with a foreign policy philosophy and priorities that are closely aligned with our own. I am convinced that, relying on strong traditions of friendship and mutual understanding, we will continue working together to expand the full range of Russian-Indian ties,” said Putin at a ceremony to received newly arrived foreign ambassadors in Moscow, including India’s Ambassador Pavan Kapoor.

(The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com)

ALSO READ: Putin likely to flag key deals under ‘Atmanirbhar’ logo

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Putin likely to flag key deals under ‘Atmanirbhar’ logo

Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan on June 13, 2019. (Photo IANSPIB)

With the defence ties being an integral pillar of the ‘Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership’ between the two countries, India has welcomed Russia’s willingness to actively engage in its ‘Make in India’ initiative for co-development and production of high technology defence items, a report by Ateet Sharma

The Military-Technical Cooperation (MTC) between India and Russia is expected to grow stronger when Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin hold the 21st India-Russia Annual Summit in New Delhi on Monday.

Delivery of the S-400 air defence system and purchase of nearly seven lakh Kalashnikov assault rifles from Moscow, along with plans on joint research and development activities to create new weapons and military equipment systems, will be at the top of the agenda of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Russian counterpart Sergey Shoigu when they both meet for the inaugural 2+2 Dialogue.

With the defence ties being an integral pillar of the ‘Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership’ between the two countries, India has welcomed Russia’s willingness to actively engage in its ‘Make in India’ initiative for co-development and production of high technology defence items.

“A lot of preparatory work has been done, during which Russian specialists, together with Indian partners, have developed an effective production model,” Bekkhan Ozdoev, Industrial Director of the weapons complex of Russian state-owned technology conglomerate Rostec, told Moscow-based media group RBC last week on India signing a $590 million contract with Kalashnikov during Putin’s New Delhi visit.

(Photo_India Narrative)

India has last month carved out seven new defence companies out of the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) which, as PM Modi said on Vijayadashami, would play an important role in import substitution, in line with the vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’.

If all goes well, the production of the latest AK-203 series of the iconic Kalashnikov rifles will begin in the first quarter of 2022 at Korwa Ordnance Factory in Uttar Pradesh’s Amethi.

Expanding Indian-Russian military cooperation

The growing Modi-Putin camaraderie, and the increasing multifaceted bilateral cooperation, is highlighted by the fact that the two leaders have met each other 19 times since 2014.

After their last meeting at the BRICS Summit in Brasilia in November 2019, both have had six telephonic conversations during the Covid-19 pandemic and several virtual interactions on various multilateral platforms.

This year marks the 21st anniversary of the establishment of the India-Russia Strategic Partnership and the 11th anniversary of its elevation to a Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.

Russian RS-24 Yars intercontinental ballistic missile systems are seen on the Red Square for the Victory Day parade in Moscow, Russia, May 9, 2019. (XinhuaBai XueqiIANS)

Russia ranks first in the field of military-technical cooperation between India and foreign countries, acquiring more than 60% of military and technical equipment, including the procurement of spare parts and components for licensed production of weapons and military equipment.

New Delhi has stressed that over the years that the partnership with Moscow has gone from simple buyer-seller relationships to collaborative research, development and production of first-class combat platforms.

The production of supersonic cruise missile BrahMos, jointly developed by India’s DRDO and NPOM of Russia, and the licensed production in India of SU-30 aircraft and T-90 tanks remain a standout example of India-Russia defence cooperation.

Both parties are also involved in the joint design and development of the Fifth Generation Fighter and the Multipurpose Transport Aircraft, supply of MiG-29K aircraft, MI-17 and Kamov-31 helicopters, modernization of MiG-29 aircraft, manufacturing of frigates and supply of Multiple Launch Missile Systems.

“In our January 26 parade this year, a lot of exhibits were Russian made.that is the measure of cooperation that we have in defence sector,” said Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla at Moscow’s Russian Diplomatic Academy, earlier this year.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the Russian President Vladimir Putin visiting the ‘Zvezda’ Shipbuilding Plant, at Vladivostok, in Russia on September 04, 2019. (PIB)

India has also taken a number of steps to expedite the collaboration between the Indian and Russian companies after the Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) on the joint manufacturing of spares in India signed in Vladivostok on September 4, 2019.

The IGA provides a framework for partnership of Russian Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEMs) with Indian industry for manufacturing of spare parts of Russian origin equipment in use by the Indian defence forces under the ‘Make in India’ initiative.

Besides conducting INDRA joint military exercises, the Defence Ministers of both the countries continue to hold their annual meetings, alternately in Russia and India, even during the ongoing pandemic.

Last year, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, during his visit to Moscow to participate in an event to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of Victory Day Parade at Red Square, had discussed a broad range of areas of cooperation between the two countries in a meeting with Russian Defence Minister, General Sergei Shoigu.