A joint statement issued after the Modi-Putin summit said the transformation aligns with India’s push for self-reliance in defence manufacturing. Both sides agreed to expand joint production in India of spare parts, components and other equipment needed to sustain Russian-origin platforms already in service. This includes manufacturing under the Make in India initiative, supported by technology transfer commitments.
The two nations will also explore joint ventures to supply India’s armed forces and eventually “subsequently export to mutually friendly third countries”, the statement said.
Although no new defence contracts were signed at the summit — contrary to expectations — defence minister Rajnath Singh and his Russian counterpart Andrei Belousov held detailed talks on India’s proposal to acquire five additional S-400 ‘Triumf’ air defence system squadrons and around ₹10,000 crore worth of associated surface-to-air missiles. These systems, already deployed by India, were noted for their performance during Operation Sindoor, as earlier reported.
India is also evaluating further procurements in the air-defence domain, including the short-range Pantsir system, Verba man-portable air-defence systems, and long-range R-37 air-to-air missiles along with their enhanced RVV-BD variants for the IAF’s upgraded Sukhoi-30MKI fleet.
Talks additionally covered the plan for joint production of advanced and lighter variants of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile. The next-generation BrahMos-NG variant is expected to be compact enough for deployment on light fighter aircraft, expanding beyond the current integration limited to the heavier Sukhoi-30MKI jets.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin also welcomed the regular military engagement between the two countries, highlighting the bilateral ‘Indra’ exercises. They reaffirmed their intent to sustain the pace of military cooperation and increase exchanges of defence delegations.
Nations Reaffirm Anti-Terror Commitment
The leaders used the summit to reiterate a strong, shared stand on counterterrorism, especially in the wake of recent attacks.
PM Modi said, “India and Russia have long stood shoulder to shoulder in the fight against terrorism. Whether it is the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, or the cowardly attack at Crocus City Hall, the root of all such incidents is the same. India firmly believes that terrorism is a direct assault on the values of humanity, and that global unity against it is our greatest strength.”
According to the joint statement, Modi and Putin “unequivocally condemned all acts of terrorism as criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation by any ‘religious or ideological pretexts, whenever, wherever, and by whomsoever they may be committed’.”
They also called for decisive action against all UN-listed terrorist organisations and networks — including al-Qaida, ISIS/Daesh and their affiliates — and emphasised the need to dismantle terrorist safe havens and financial systems enabling cross-border terrorism.
With inputs from TOI