NEW DELHI: Russian President Vladimir Putin was in India for the BRICS summit on 12-13 September, where he held bilateral talks with Indian PM Narendra Modi. Indian-Russian ties, especially in the defence sector, have long been a cornerstone of the relationship between the two countries. India is currently highly dependent on Russia for military supplies. The high-impact role of the Russian S-400, the Indo-Russian joint-venture BrahMos missiles, and Russian-made Su-30-30 fighter jets in the 2025 ‘Operation Sindoor’ is now known worldwide. Unlike the US and West, Russia’s offer of ‘technology transfer’ and joint production of defence equipment is always an advantage for the Indian defence sector. In the coming days, the bond will go deeper as India is looking for AIR Defence upgrades, 5th-6th Gen Fighter Jets and domestic defence production, where Russia can play a vital role and the friendly country has several offers for India in all these sectors.
Amid all the speculation, General Dhiraj Seth, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), is on an official visit to Russia from 16 to 18 September 2026, aimed at further strengthening the longstanding defence partnership and military-to-military cooperation between the two countries. During the visit, the COAS will receive a ceremonial Guard of Honour and pay tribute to the fallen soldiers at the ‘Tomb of the Unknown Soldier’ in Moscow. He will be holding discussions with Colonel General Andrei Nikolayevich Mordvichev, Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Land Forces, on issues of mutual interest, including professional military cooperation and training.
The COAS will visit the National Defence Control Centre in Moscow and meet with senior officials of the Russian Ministry of Defence, including Mr Vasily Sergeyevich Osmakov, Deputy Minister of Defence, who oversees defence industry and procurement. The engagements will provide an opportunity to exchange perspectives on contemporary military developments and avenues for enhancing defence cooperation. As part of the visit, General Dhiraj Seth will also travel to Saint Petersburg, where he will visit the Mikhailovskaya Military Artillery Academy and interact with its leadership and faculty. The visit reflects the importance both countries attach to sustained military diplomacy and Army-to-Army engagement. The interactions are expected to deepen military cooperation further and reinforce the enduring defence relationship between India and Russia.
