New Delhi: India and Russia have reiterated their strong commitment to deepening bilateral defence cooperation, even as tensions rise over U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to impose sanctions on India for continuing crude oil imports from Russia.
The reaffirmation came during a high-level meeting between Indian Ambassador to Russia, Vinay Kumar, and Russian Deputy Defence Minister Colonel-General Alexander Fomin. The discussions took place in what the Russian Ministry of Defence described as a “warm and friendly atmosphere,” reflecting the long-standing and trusted ties between the two nations.
According to the Russian Defence Ministry’s statement, both sides engaged in detailed discussions on ongoing defence collaboration and expressed a shared intent to strengthen cooperation further under the framework of the “particularly privileged strategic partnership.”
The timing of the meeting is significant, as it comes just days after President Trump warned of “harsh sanctions” on India for its continued energy trade with Russia, a stance that has drawn criticism for attempting to pressure sovereign nations into altering independent foreign policy decisions.
Despite mounting geopolitical pressure, India and Russia appear poised to expand their defence partnership, which includes joint production of weapons systems, technology transfers, and military training initiatives. The reaffirmation underscores India’s strategic balancing act—safeguarding national interests while maintaining key international partnerships.
