World News | Defence Ministers of Russia and India to Hold Key Strategic Talks in New Delhi Tomorrow
Get latest articles and stories on World at LatestLY. Rajnath Singh will meet Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov in New Delhi as Russia approves a key logistics pact with India ahead of President Putin's visit. Moscow says talks may cover S-400 systems, the Su-57 fighter jet, and nuclear cooperation, highlighting strong strategic ties.
New Delhi [India], December 3 (ANI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is set to meet Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov in New Delhi tomorrow as part of ongoing high-level discussions between India and Russia on defence cooperation and strategic partnership.
The meeting takes place after Russia's State Duma cleared a key military logistics agreement with India ahead of President Vladimir Putin's upcoming visit to New Delhi. The Reciprocal Exchange of Logistic Support (RELOS), signed earlier this year on February 18, was recently sent forward for ratification by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.
State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin said the decision demonstrated the strength of bilateral relations, describing the India-Russia partnership as "strategic and comprehensive" and calling the approval another step towards enhanced cooperation.
Details posted on the Duma website indicate the pact will enable military aircraft, naval vessels and other units from both countries to access each other's facilities for joint exercises, training, humanitarian work and disaster-relief operations.
Putin will attend the 23rd annual bilateral summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where defence and trade are expected to feature prominently. Ahead of the visit, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said possible discussions could include an additional S-400 missile system and talks on the Su-57 fifth-generation fighter aircraft.
He said the Su-57 is "the best plane in the world," and signalled Moscow's willingness to expand defence technology collaboration, including joint efforts such as BrahMos.
Peskov also noted Russia's aim to bolster cooperation in the civil nuclear sector, saying Moscow is prepared to offer India compact reactor technology while continuing work on existing projects like Kudankulam. (ANI)
(The above story is verified and authored by ANI staff, ANI is South Asia's leading multimedia news agency with over 100 bureaus in India, South Asia and across the globe. ANI brings the latest news on Politics and Current Affairs in India & around the World, Sports, Health, Fitness, Entertainment, & News. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)