India and Russia Reaffirm Strategic Defence Partnership at 21st IRIGC-M&MTC Session

Moscow: The 21st session of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military & Military Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-M&MTC) was co-chaired by Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh and Russian Defence Minister Andrey Belousov in Moscow today. The meeting reinforced the robust and enduring special and privileged strategic partnership between the two nations.

Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh emphasized the strength of the India-Russia relationship, which has consistently lived up to the expectations of a strategic partnership. Highlighting the significance of recent high-level engagements, including two visits by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Russia in 2024, Singh stated that these exchanges have further deepened bilateral ties.

The Raksha Mantri also reiterated India’s commitment to strengthening its domestic defence industry under the ‘Make in India’ initiative. He invited greater participation from Russian industries in collaborative defence manufacturing projects, underscoring the mutual benefits of industrial cooperation in enhancing defence capabilities.

Russian Defence Minister Andrey Belousov praised the enduring trust underpinning India-Russia relations. He commended the commissioning of INS Tushil and noted that the operationalization of the Military Technical Cooperation Agreement for 2021–31 would further boost India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem.

Rajnath Singh extended an invitation to Belousov to visit India to co-chair the 22nd session of the IRIGC-M&MTC in 2025, which was graciously accepted.

The session concluded with the signing of the protocol of the 21st IRIGC-M&MTC, outlining ongoing and prospective areas of cooperation.

Ahead of the meeting, Rajnath Singh inspected a Guard of Honour at the Russian Defence Ministry in Central Moscow. He also paid homage to the fallen Soviet soldiers of the Second World War by laying a wreath at ‘The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier,’ a solemn reminder of the shared sacrifices and historical ties between the two nations.

The discussions at the 21st session reaffirmed the mutual commitment of India and Russia to their strategic defence partnership, highlighting opportunities for collaboration and innovation in military and technical domains.