The defense ministers of India and Russia - Rajnath Singh and Andrei Belousov - held a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) forum in China. According to an official statement from the Indian government, the talks covered key topics such as the deliveries of S-400 strategic anti-aircraft missile systems, the modernization of Su-30MKI fighter jets and the acquisition of other important military technologies, reports "Reuters", reports News.bg.
India and Russia have long-standing and stable defense ties. About 60% of the Indian army's weapons are of Russian origin - including the T-90 main battle tanks, Kilo-class submarines, MiG and Su aircraft, as well as the S-400 systems, which New Delhi ordered despite pressure from the United States and the threat of sanctions under the CAATSA law.
At the same time, India has gradually diversified the sources of its weapons. Over the past decade, the country has increased purchases of equipment from France (Rafale fighters), the United States (Apache and Chinook helicopters and air defense systems), Israel (drones and radars) and other Western countries. The goal of this strategy is to achieve greater strategic autonomy and reduce dependence on a single supplier.
Despite the war in Ukraine and Western sanctions against Moscow, India continues to maintain close relations with Russia, including in the areas of energy and the defense industry.