India, Russia discuss defence cooperation
New Delhi: The 18th meeting of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-MTC) was on Thursday co-chaired by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and her Russian counterpart General Sergei Shoigu.
In the framework of the bilateral Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership, the IRIGC-MTC meeting discussed a wide range of issues relating to defence equipment, industry and technological engagement between India and Russia as well as after sales support/ upgradation of military equipment of Russian origin, officials said.
“The Ministers expressed satisfaction at the dynamism and progress in bilateral defence cooperation. Intensive discussions were held on joint manufacturing projects, including the Kamov-226T helicopters, naval frigates and projects related to land systems,” an official statement said.
The two sides also agreed to take forward inter-governmental arrangements for facilitating joint manufacturing of spares for Russian origin equipment in India, under the “Make in India” initiative, it said.
With a view to enhancing military-to-military engagement and rationalising the functioning of the Commission, a revised Inter-Governmental Agreement on restructuring the existing IRIGC-MTC to the IRIGC on Military and Military Technical Cooperation was also signed by the two Ministers.
An additional institutional Working Group headed by Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee and Deputy Chief of the Main Operational Directorate of General Staff of Armed Forces of Russian Federation would be set up under the expanded Commission.
The inaugural meeting of the IRIGC-MTC is proposed to be held in Russia next year.
