By IDI

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on Tuesday, expressed satisfaction on the progress of defence contracts with Russia. He said this after a review meeting with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov.

“I have been assured that ongoing contracts will be maintained and not just maintained, in a number of cases will be taken forward in a shorter time. All our proposals have received positive response from the Russian side,” he said in a press statement.

The Indian defence minister is on a three day visit to Russia to participate in the 75th Victory day parade in Moscow.

“All our proposals have received positive response from the Russian side. I am fully satisfied with my discussions,” the minister added.

The two leaders co-chair the High Level Committee on Science and Technology. “Their discussions on bilateral cooperation and regional issues were very positive and productive,” India said in a statement.

During the meeting Indian defence minister said that “despite all the difficulties of the pandemic, India-Russia bilateral relations are keeping good contacts at various levels. India and Russia enjoy Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership and defence relationship is one of its important pillars,” the statement added.

The Indian defence secretary Ajay Kumar is also accompanying the defence minister. He held meeting with his Russian counterpart Alexander Fomin.

Expressing satisfaction on his meeting with Borisov, Singh said, “I can say with confidence that the traditional friendship between India and Russia remain strong. Our mutual interests are solid and we look to future cooperation in the spirit of our special friendship.”

Paying his tribute to Russian people and soldiers for their immense sacrifice in the Second World War, Rajnath Singh said, “Indian soldiers participated in the war effort in the millions and suffered immense casualties. Many of them were part of the war efforts to provide assistance to the Soviet Army.”

“It is a great honour that an Indian Military contingent will be marching in the Red Square tomorrow. This is a sign of everlasting friendship between the armed forces of both our countries,” he added.

The meetings were also attended by the director of the Federal Service for Military and Technical Cooperation of Russia Dmitry Shugaev and the head of Rosoboronexport Alexander Mikheev.

On the business side, according to sources, the two sides discussed urgent supply of various items of armed forces requirement like ammunition of various kinds.

As anticipated rescheduling of delivery of the S-400 long-range-surface-to-air missile system was not discussed. India is expected to get last delivery by 2025 and there is not much room available to expedite deliveries as the system is very complicated and technologically challenging.

In the meeting between the Ajay Kumar and Fomin, the two sides discussed military cooperation including training. They also discussed space cooperation.

Given the situation on Indo-Tibet border in Ladakh region between India and China, the two sides focused on things of immediate concern and requirements.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is visiting India later this year.