India, Russia to boost defence ties

India and Russia have decided to further expand and deepen defence co-operation on a mutually beneficial basis and expressed readiness to take all necessary measures towards this.

During the annual meeting to review the defence ties, India and Russia also noted that the two must extend this cooperation by strengthening interactions between the armed forces, defence industry enterprises and research agencies of the two countries.

In a protocol signed after the eleventh meeting of the India-Russia inter-governmental commission on military technical co-operation, co-chaired by the defence minister AK Antony and his Russian counterpart AE Serdyukov, the two sides noted with satisfaction that various diligent steps have been taken "to deepen interaction in the development of defence technologies, modernisation of military equipment and joint manufacture of military-purpose products".

"Such cooperation involves the strengthening of interactions between the Armed Forces, defense industry enterprises and research agencies of the two countries", the protocol noted.

"Distinct improvements have taken place in the pace of progress of many critical projects in the last one year. We value our friendship a great deal. Together we would like to consolidate our relationship and take it forward," Antony told a group of Indian journalists shortly after the talks.

Speaking at the meeting, Antony said India-Russia defence relationship has grown both in content and scope over the years. He said India highly values the time tested, strong and multi-faceted relationship with Russia.

"There is a strong impulse, both at the level of the government and among the people of India to further strengthen our special strategic partnership, which is based on mutual trust and complimentarity of interests," Antony said.