Jaishankar said that while “long-standing issues remain” in global geopolitics, new ones have now emerged, with the prominent among them being “terrorism, violent extremism and radicalisation.” We’ve had active dialogue at political levels and also a strong defence partnership over many years,” the foreign minister said. In a world that has changed so much, they have been exceptionally steady. “Our ties have been close and time-tested.
Jaishankar said as “close friends and strategic partners” New Delhi and Moscow have been working to “safeguard our common interest.” ‘Situation in Afghanistan has wider repercussions’Įxternal Affairs Minister Jaishankar said both sides are meeting at a “critical juncture in the global geopolitical environment which is great flux.” Later in the day Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold the India-Russia Annual Summit.Īlso read: From buyer of military goods, India wants to become Russia’s ‘development & production’ partner The two countries also signed a 10-year long military-technical cooperation agreement and sealed the contract to manufacture six lakh units of the AK203 assault rifles in Uttar Pradesh. Russian defence minister Shoigu in his opening remarks said India and Russia will expand and enhance their defence and security ties. Speaking about maritime security in the Indian Ocean region, Singh said: “We are optimistic of Russia’s cooperation in all the domains.” “We hope that Russia will remain a major partner for India in these challenges circumstances,” he said, adding that both sides will now seek greater military collaboration by way of co-production and co-development of defence equipments leading to India’s self-reliance. Singh also said the defence ties between India and Russia have progressed in an unprecedented manner in recent times. In 2020, India and China used Moscow as the platform to hold ministerial meetings to find resolution to the border standoff and came up with the “ Moscow Agreement” of sorts.
Therefore, Singh said, India’s development needs are “colossal” and that its defence challenges are “legitimate, real and immediate” and “India seeks partners who are sensitive and responsive to its expectations and requirements”. India is confident of overcoming these challenges with a strong political will and inherent capabilities of its people. Without mentioning China, Singh also said, “The pandemic, the extraordinary militarisation and expansion of armament in our neighbourhood and unprovoked aggression on our northern border since early summer of 2020 have thrown up several challenges. “I have had an opportunity to discuss in detail the emerging challenges India is confronted with and the enhanced requirement for India for closer military and military-technical cooperation with Russia,” said Rajnath Singh during his opening remarks at the 2+2 talks. Jaishankar held talks with their Russian counterparts Sergey Shoigu and Sergey Lavrov, respectively. New Delhi: Without naming China, India Monday raised the issue of the ongoing Ladakh standoff during the first 2+2 ministerial dialogue with Russia.ĭuring the dialogue, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S.