India and Russia Strengthen Defence Ties at 21st IRIGC-M&MTC Session

Moscow, December 10, 2024

The 21st session of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military & Military Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-M&MTC) was co-chaired by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh and Russian Defence Minister Mr. Andrey Belousov in Moscow. Both leaders reaffirmed the strength of the India-Russia strategic partnership and discussed new opportunities for collaboration in defence manufacturing under the ‘Make in India’ initiative.

Shri Rajnath Singh highlighted the robust India-Russia relationship, emphasizing its success as a special and privileged strategic partnership. He expressed India’s commitment to enhancing domestic defence industry capabilities and welcomed Russian industries to participate in joint manufacturing projects under ‘Make in India.’ He also underlined the significance of recent high-level exchanges, including two visits by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Russia in 2024.

Mr. Belousov echoed the importance of mutual trust in the bilateral relationship and congratulated Shri Rajnath Singh on the commissioning of INS Tushil. He stated that the operationalisation of the Military Technical Cooperation agreement for 2021-31 would provide a significant boost to India’s defence manufacturing initiatives.

The meeting concluded with the signing of a protocol outlining ongoing and future areas of collaboration. Shri Rajnath Singh invited his Russian counterpart to visit India in 2025 for the 22nd session of the IRIGC-M&MTC, which Mr. Belousov accepted.

Earlier, Shri Rajnath Singh inspected a Guard of Honour at the Russian Defence Ministry and laid a wreath at ‘The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier’ in Moscow to pay homage to Soviet soldiers who died during World War II.