India and Russia discuss ways to further intensify defence partnership

August 6, 2025

Moscow: Russia’s Deputy Defence Minister, Colonel General Aleksandr Fomin, met with India’s Ambassador to Russia, Vinay Kumar, on Wednesday to discuss ways to deepen their comprehensive India-Russia Special Privileged Strategic Partnership. The Russian Defence Ministry release stated that the discussions focused on current issues in bilateral defence cooperation and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen their specialized partnership, which has historically been marked by close and friendly relations.

India maintains a long-standing and extensive defence cooperation with Russia, governed by the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military and Military-Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-MMTC), led by the defence ministers of both countries. Their collaboration includes major projects such as the provision of the S-400 missile systems, licensed production of T-90 tanks and Su-30 MKI aircraft, supply of MiG-29 fighters and Kamov helicopters, the acquisition of INS Vikramaditya (formerly Admiral Gorshkov), as well as joint production of the Ak-203 rifles and BrahMos missiles.

Over time, the scope of India-Russia military technical cooperation has expanded beyond simple buyer-seller arrangements to encompass joint research, co-development, and co-production of advanced defence systems. The successful deployment of the S-400 air defence system during Operation Sindoor in May, where it intercepted several incoming missiles from across the border, highlighted the importance of this cooperation. India is expected to procure more S-400 systems as part of its strategic military planning.

Additionally, Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval is currently in Moscow, engaging with senior Russian officials to further discuss defence and security cooperation between the two nations. This visit coincides with rising tensions with the US, as President Donald Trump recently announced plans to significantly increase tariffs on Indian goods—particularly due to New Delhi’s oil purchases from Russia, which Trump accused of fueling conflict and making large profits from cheaper Russian oil.