Image Credits - Reuters
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announced on Wednesday that discussions between Russia and India regarding joint military equipment production have seen significant advancements. This announcement followed Lavrov’s meeting with his Indian counterpart, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, in Moscow.
The cooperation between the two nations is of strategic importance and aims to enhance security across the Eurasian continent. Lavrov emphasized that Moscow respects India’s desire to diversify its military hardware suppliers and is prepared to support New Delhi’s aspiration to domestically manufacture necessary items.
Furthermore, it was revealed by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov that Russian President Vladimir Putin would meet with Jaishankar later on Wednesday. Jaishankar conveyed his eagerness for a forthcoming meeting between Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the upcoming year.
In addition to discussing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, Jaishankar and Lavrov also focused on bilateral trade and investment. Since the imposition of extensive sanctions on Moscow by the West due to the Ukrainian war in 2022, India has become one of Russia’s key economic partners.
Russia has redirected a significant portion of its oil exports to India and has intensified its diplomatic efforts within the BRICS group, of which both countries are founding members.
Jaishankar projected that Indian-Russian trade would surpass $50 billion this year. New Delhi is eager to establish a bilateral investment treaty with Russia and a free trade agreement with the Moscow-led Eurasian Economic Union.
This development signifies a noteworthy milestone in the military and defence sector, and it will be intriguing to observe the future evolution of this collaboration.
The collaboration between Russia and India in military equipment production is a strategic manoeuvre that benefits both nations, bolstering their diplomatic ties, military capabilities, and geopolitical stature. This partnership strengthens the bilateral relationship, enabling India to maintain a balanced foreign policy with both the West and Russia, while also amplifying their influence in international forums.
Furthermore, it allows India to diversify its sources of military hardware, gain access to advanced military technology, enhance its defence capabilities, and improve its after-sales service system through regular joint military exercises. Geopolitically, this alliance assists both countries in counterbalancing the growing influence of other major powers in their respective regions.
Additionally, it enables Russia to redirect a significant portion of its oil exports to India, thereby mitigating the impact of Western sanctions. Moreover, this collaboration has the potential to lead to joint defence projects in Central Asia, further expanding the geopolitical influence of both nations. In essence, this partnership serves as a testament to the multifaceted nature of the bilateral relationship between Russia and India.