Russia and India have significantly advanced discussions regarding their collaborative efforts in producing military equipment.
This was highlighted by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov following talks with his Indian counterpart, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, in Moscow.
During a press briefing, Lavrov emphasized the strategic nature of such cooperation, emphasizing its alignment with the interests of both nations. He noted that this joint effort would play a pivotal role in ensuring security across the Eurasian continent.
Expressing respect for India’s inclination to diversify its sources for military hardware, Lavrov affirmed Russia’s readiness to support India’s aspirations for indigenous production of essential goods within the country.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin was scheduled to meet Jaishankar later on the same day, further indicating the importance attached to these discussions between Russia and India.
Jaishankar expressed his anticipation of a meeting between Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the upcoming year.
The discussions between Jaishankar and Lavrov encompassed a spectrum of global issues, including the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, alongside deliberations on bilateral trade and investment.
Since the extensive sanctions imposed on Moscow by the West in 2022 due to the Ukraine conflict, India has emerged as a pivotal economic partner for Russia.
In response to the sanctions, Russia redirected a considerable portion of its oil exports toward India while actively engaging in diplomatic initiatives within the BRICS consortium, where both nations serve as founding members.
Jaishankar highlighted projections that the trade between Russia and India is poised to surpass $50 billion for the ongoing year.
Furthermore, he emphasized India’s keen interest in finalizing a bilateral investment treaty with Russia, as well as exploring the prospects of a free trade agreement within the framework of the Moscow-led Eurasian Economic Union.
