Defense News ,India & Russia :- In a significant development, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announced on Wednesday that Russia and India have achieved tangible progress in discussions regarding their collaborative efforts to manufacture military equipment. Lavrov, after engaging in talks with Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in Moscow, emphasized that this strategic cooperation was in the best interests of both nations, aiming to bolster security across the Eurasian continent.
During a press conference, Lavrov acknowledged India aspiration to diversify its sources for military hardware and affirmed Moscow commitment to supporting New Delhi endeavors to produce essential items within India itself. The collaboration signifies a robust partnership that extends beyond conventional diplomatic ties, underlining shared interests in defense and security matters.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov disclosed that Russian President Vladimir Putin was scheduled to meet with Jaishankar later that day. Furthermore, Jaishankar expressed optimism about a meeting between Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the upcoming year.
Beyond military discussions, the diplomatic dialogue between Jaishankar and Lavrov covered global issues such as conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. Additionally, the leaders delved into matters related to bilateral trade and investment. India, having emerged as one of Russia key economic partners, assumed greater significance following sweeping sanctions imposed on Moscow by the West in 2022 due to the conflict in Ukraine.
Russia response to these sanctions included redirecting a significant portion of its oil exports to India and intensifying diplomatic engagements within the BRICS group. Both Russia and India are founding members of BRICS, a consortium that also includes Brazil, China, and South Africa.
According to Jaishankar, the bilateral trade between India and Russia is expected to surpass $50 billion in the current year. In pursuit of strengthening economic ties, New Delhi is keen on formalizing a bilateral investment treaty with Russia and exploring the possibilities of a free trade agreement with the Moscow-led Eurasian Economic Union. This multifaceted collaboration underscores the resilience and depth of the Russia-India partnership in navigating global challenges and advancing shared economic objectives.
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