India's Defence Pivot: New Collaborations Amid Russian Ties

Top Indian arms executives, including those from Adani Defence and Bharat Forge, held rare meetings in Russia to discuss joint ventures. This move is part of India's attempt to realign its defence ties with Russia despite potential setbacks in Western collaborations. The discussions coincided with an Indian delegation's visit to Moscow.

In a significant development for India's defense sector, at least six executives from leading Indian arms manufacturers, including Adani Defence and Bharat Forge, convened in Russia for discussions on potential joint ventures. This marks the first such visit by top Indian defense business leaders to Moscow since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The meetings, previously unreported, are reflective of India's efforts to shift its long-standing defense association with Russia toward collaborative weapon development. Such collaborations, however, risk affecting India's plans to co-develop Western arms as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of transforming the country into a global manufacturing powerhouse.

While no official confirmations have been received regarding the meetings, sources indicate that the discussions focused on the manufacturing of spare parts for Russian-origin defense systems and potential setup of production units in India. Despite the opportunities, Indian firms face potential secondary sanctions, necessitating a cautious approach.

(With inputs from agencies.)