Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on Friday, held talks with his Russian counterpart General Sergei Shoigu. The two discussed several issues of bilateral defence cooperation.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of a conclave of the defence ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) that was hosted by India in the national capital.
Officials said Singh and Shoigu deliberated on various aspects of bilateral cooperation as well as regional developments.
The two ministers discussed wide-ranging issues of bilateral defence cooperation, including military-to-military ties as well as industrial partnership.
According to a defence ministry statement, the leaders also discussed the Russian defence industry’s participation in the ‘Make in India’ initiative and ways to provide further impetus to it.
The two deliberated on matters of regional peace and security and expressed satisfaction over the continued trust and mutual respect between the two countries, particularly in defence.
The defence ministers also reiterated their commitment to strengthen the partnership and acknowledged the unique, long-lasting, and time-tested relationship between India and Russia.
Singh also held a separate bilateral meeting with his Uzbek counterpart, Lieutenant General Kurbanov Bakhodir Nizamovich.
"Delighted to meet the Defence Minister of Uzbekistan, Lt. Gen. Kurbanov Bakhodir Nizamovich on the sidelines of SCO Defence Ministers' meeting in New Delhi," Singh said in a tweet.