India, Russia discuss strategic cooperation

340
1
India, Russia discuss strategic cooperation

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met with Russian counterpart Sergey Shoigu on Monday to discuss strategic cooperations and joint manufacturing of military equipment.

Singh said that he had productive, fruitful and substantial bilateral discussions on defence cooperation with the Russian defence minister. India is deeply grateful for Russia's support for India. We hope that our cooperation will bring peace, prosperity and stability to the entire region. Singh said in a statement that a number of agreements contracts protocols were signed pertaining to military cooperation and small arms.

He said India values its special and privileged strategic partnership with Russia. Both Shoigu and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrived in India on Sunday night along with President Vladimir Putin as part of the 2 2 dialogue'' between India and Russia.

Both countries are expected to ink various pacts on expanding cooperation in areas of defence, trade, energy, technology and investment.

The top leaders will discuss the issue of Afghanistan during their 2nd and foreign ministerial talks.

India had approved a mega AK 203 Kalashnikov rifle deal worth Rs 5,000 crore with Russia before the summit began. In the joint venture, around 5 lakh AK 203 Kalashnikov rifles will be manufactured in Korwa, Amethi.