New Delhi : Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held talks with the Russian counterpart on Sunday. The Ministers discussed about the ways to boost strategic cooperation including expansion of joint production of military equipment.
Mr Shoigu and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had already arrived in New Delhi to hold the inaugural ‘2+2’ dialogue with their Indian counterparts. The Ministers arrived on Sunday night.
Later by 2+2 talks, the Russian ministers will join President Vladimir Putin later in the day in his summit talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Singh’s office tweeted along with a photo of the meeting,”Had a productive, fruitful and substantial bilateral discussions on defence cooperation with the Russian Defence Minister, General Sergey Shoigu in New Delhi today. India values its special and privileged strategic partnership with Russia.” tweet read.
Had a productive, fruitful and substantial bilateral discussions on defence cooperation with the Russian Defence Minister, General Sergey Shoigu in New Delhi today. India values its special and privileged strategic partnership with Russia. pic.twitter.com/9WNBx6m7ok
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) December 6, 2021
India and Russia are set to ink a number of pacts to expand cooperation in key areas of defence, trade and investment, energy and technology at the summit.
In the summit as well as in the inaugural ‘2+2’ defence and foreign ministerial talks, the two sides are also expected to focus on the situation in Afghanistan.
Officials said a number of a issues including ways to expand joint production of defence equipment figured in the Singh-Shoigu talks.
Ahead of the summit, India cleared the long-pending AK 203 Kalashnikov rifles deal worth nearly ₹ 5,000 crore for production of over five lakh such rifles at Korwa in Amethi by an Indo-Russian joint venture.
The annual summit is a time for both leaders to re-calibrate the long-standing relationship.
India and Russia are expected to sign several bilateral agreements in various areas following the talks between Mr Putin and PM Modi.
Earlier Ministry of External Affairs said “The agenda for the dialogue will cover political and defence issues of mutual interest. The establishment of this new mechanism of two plus two dialogue is expected to further strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries.”
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