India-Russia Forge Stronger Defence Ties with Joint Manufacturing

India and Russia agreed to collaborate on joint manufacturing of military hardware and spare parts in India, enhancing defence cooperation. The partnership aims to address long-standing issues with the supply of spares. Discussions included expanding bilateral trade and establishing joint ventures for various sectors, including defense and fertilisers.

In a significant development, India and Russia have decided to strengthen their defence collaboration through the joint manufacturing of military hardware and spare parts in India. This strategic move aims to tackle persistent delays in the supply of critical spares from Russia, which have affected the maintenance of India's military systems.

During summit talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin, defence cooperation was a prominent focus. The two nations agreed on setting up joint ventures to meet both Indian armed forces' needs and potential exports to third countries, indicating a strategic reorientation of their defence partnership.

Additionally, Modi and Putin discussed ways to enhance bilateral trade, including the use of national currencies for settlements and cooperation in central bank digital currency platforms. Both leaders underscored the importance of ensuring a steady supply of fertilisers to India and explored joint ventures in this industry.

(With inputs from agencies.)