Russian President Vladimir Putin recently highlighted the “unique relationship” between Russia and India, emphasizing mutual trust and collaboration across various fields, particularly in defense, energy, and technology. Addressing delegates at the Valdai international forum in Sochi on November 7, Putin underscored that the Russia-India partnership is more than a mere transactional relationship; it is a deep-rooted strategic alliance underpinned by shared goals in regional security and economic growth. This partnership has seen decades-long cooperation evolve into a more sophisticated alliance that extends beyond arms supply, encompassing joint development of advanced military technology and energy projects.
At the forum, Putin commented on the enduring and multifaceted military-technical collaboration between Russia and India, which has long been the cornerstone of their bilateral relationship. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Russia remains India’s primary defense supplier despite India’s recent diversification of defense imports and partnerships. Putin’s statement reinforced Russia’s commitment to sustaining this critical aspect of the alliance, noting the role of mutual trust in the transfer of defense technologies and co-development projects.
An example of such collaborative development is the BrahMos missile system, which has become a central component of India’s defense strategy. Co-developed by India and Russia, BrahMos missiles have been successfully integrated into India’s military arsenal across multiple platforms, including air, land, and sea. The supersonic cruise missile system, which enhances India’s deterrence capabilities, also demonstrates the countries’ shared focus on advancing India’s security and defensive autonomy.
Putin expressed optimism for future developments, asserting that Russia’s cooperation in India’s security initiatives is both robust and “widely........