On the first day of her visit to Russia to attend the VII Moscow Conference on International Security from 3rd – 5th April, 2018, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, Hon’ble Defence Minister of India met Mr. Denis Manturov, Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation. Both leaders reviewed ongoing Military Technical Cooperation Projects between the two countries including measures to promote India-Russia joint industrial activities under the Make in India programme with respect to defence production especially for after-sales support. They also discussed Russian participation in DEFEXPO INDIA-2018 to be held in Chennai later this month.
Later in the day, Smt. Sitharaman met Russian Defence Minister, Army General Sergey Shoigu where the two leaders discussed issues of bilateral importance, especially Military to Military Cooperation between India and Russia, and regional issues. These included a review of the Roadmap of Military Cooperation involving exercises, training, exchange of visits, and India’s participation in International Army Games to be held in Russia later this year.
Both sides highly valued the range of ongoing defence cooperation between the two countries, which they agreed were in the mutual interest of both countries, and agreed to continue to strengthen them further.
In the evening, Smt. Sitharaman attended a concert by Sarod Maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan to mark the closing of the year-long celebrations of the 70th Anniversary of India-Russia diplomatic relations.
Moscow
3rd April, 2018
