New Delhi: Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov arrived in New Delhi on Thursday to co-chair the 22nd India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military and Military Technical Cooperation Ministerial Meeting with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
Minister of State for Defence (MoS) Sanjay Seth welcomed Belousov at the airport. Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan was also present.
The 22nd India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military and Military Technical Cooperation Ministerial Meeting will be held later today at the Manekshaw Centre.
During the meeting, Singh and Belousov will review a wide range of defence relations between the two countries, including military and military technical cooperation. The Defence Ministry stated that they will also exchange views on current regional and global issues of mutual interest.
During his visit, Belousov will also lay a wreath at the National War Memorial and pay tribute to Indian soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. Defense is a key component of the strong friendship and strategic partnership between India and Russia. The two countries follow a specific 10-year agreement that guides all their military and defense technology cooperation. An official statement stated that the Military-Technical Cooperation Agreement for 2021–2031, signed in New Delhi on December 6, 2021, focuses on joint research, development, production, and after-sales support of weapons and military equipment.
Military technical cooperation between the two countries has expanded from a buyer-seller framework to include joint research, development, and production of advanced defense technologies and systems. Russia is also a significant source of supplies for defense equipment, engines, spare parts, and components. Several defense platforms, such as the T-90 tank and Su-30 MKI aircraft, are also assembled/produced in India.
The two countries are exploring the possibility of co-development and co-production of defense equipment and platforms, including the possibility of exporting them to other countries, such as the BrahMos system. Singh visited Russia in December 2024 and co-chaired the 21st IRIGC-M&MTC meeting. He also participated in the commissioning of the frigate “INS Tushil” into the Indian Navy in Kaliningrad.
On July 1, the latest stealth multi-role frigate, INS Tamal, was also commissioned in Kaliningrad. The 5th meeting of the Working Group on Military Cooperation of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military and Military Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-M&MTC) was held in New Delhi on October 28-29, 2025.
