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India Russia Deepen Defence Ties During Putin Visit
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s two-day visit to New Delhi focused heavily on strengthening defence cooperation. The discussions highlighted India’s long-standing partnership with Russia in military technology, joint production, and the supply of advanced weapon systems. Officials said both sides agreed that defence ties remain a core pillar of bilateral relations despite geopolitical pressure from Western countries.
Key Defence Focus Areas
Talks during the visit centred on delivery schedules of existing systems, upgrades for Indian Air Force platforms and deeper defence-industrial collaboration. India is already operating the S-400 air defence system and discussions included future upgrades and maintenance support. New Delhi is also exploring options for joint development of high-end military equipment, including missiles and aircraft components, to reduce dependence on imports.
Strategic Autonomy Remains Central
Government officials emphasised that India’s strategic autonomy remains unchanged. The country will continue to make independent decisions based on national security needs, even while increasing engagement with other international partners. While global tensions have slowed production timelines for certain equipment, both countries expressed confidence that agreements already made will remain on track.
Long-Term Partnership Reinforced
The visit reaffirmed a relationship that has been consistent for over five decades. India continues to rely on Russian platforms for a significant share of its defence inventory, especially combat aircraft, missiles and submarines. The conversations in New Delhi indicated that, while India is diversifying its sources of military hardware, cooperation with Moscow will remain important in the coming years. The focus of future engagements is likely to shift towards local manufacturing and co-development to strengthen indigenous capabilities.
