Rajnath holds bilateral talks with Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu

New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Russian counterpart, General Sergei Shoigu, vowed on Friday to strengthen the India-Russia military partnership while expressing satisfaction over the continued trust and mutual respect in the ties.
Singh and Shoigu held extensive talks, covering the regional security situation and key aspects of bilateral defence relations, including industrial partnership, at a meeting on the sidelines of a conclave of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) here.
An Indian readout of the meeting said the two ministers also discussed the Russian defence industry’s participation in the “Make in India” initiative in the defence manufacturing sector and ways to provide further impetus to it.It said Singh and Shoigu discussed matters relating to regional peace and security as well.
“They expressed satisfaction over the continued trust and mutual respect between the two countries, particularly in defence, and reiterated their commitment towards strengthening the partnership,” the defence ministry said.“They acknowledged the unique, long-lasting and time-tested relationship between India and Russia,” it added.
The ministry said Singh and Shoigu discussed wide-ranging issues of bilateral defence cooperation.
“The two ministers discussed wide-ranging issues of bilateral defence cooperation, including military-to-military ties as well as industrial partnership,” it said.