On December 10, 2024, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Russian Defence Minister Andrey Belousov co-chaired the 21st session of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military and Military Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-M&MTC) in Moscow. The session focused on strengthening the bilateral defence ties between the two nations.
Rajnath Singh highlighted the strong and enduring India-Russia relationship, emphasizing the special and privileged strategic partnership between the two countries. He noted that recent high-level exchanges, including two visits by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Russia in 2024, have further solidified this bond.
Rajnath Singh also stressed India’s commitment to expanding its domestic defence industry and its industrial collaboration with Russia. He called for increased participation of Russian industries in India’s ‘Make in India’ projects, underscoring the opportunity for both nations to work together to enhance defence manufacturing capabilities.
In response, Minister Belousov reiterated Russia’s commitment to deepening the relationship based on mutual trust. He congratulated Rajnath Singh on the commissioning of the Indian Navy’s INS Tushil and expressed confidence that the operationalisation of the Military Technical Cooperation agreement for 2021-31 would provide significant support to India’s ‘Make in India’ initiatives. He also accepted an invitation from Singh to visit India in 2025 to co-chair the 22nd session of the IRIGC-M&MTC.
At the conclusion of the meeting, both ministers signed the protocol of the 21st session, which outlined ongoing and potential areas of cooperation between the two countries.
Earlier in the day, Rajnath Singh was honoured with a Guard of Honour at the Russian Defence Ministry in Moscow. He also laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to pay respects to Soviet soldiers who died during World War II.
