India’s Defense Minister Rajnath Singh held an important bilateral meeting with Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belouusov during a meeting of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Defense Ministers in Kingdao, China. This meeting was important for further strengthening of regional and global security as well as India-Russia defense cooperation.
The meeting took place at a time when regional security situation became complicated after the military struggle between India and Pakistan in May 2025. On 22 April 2025, 26 civilians were killed in a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, including a Nepali citizen.
In response to this attack, India carried out air strikes on nine terrorist bases in Pakistan and Pakistan -occupied Kashmir (POK). India was immediately needed to strengthen its defense capabilities. This meeting with Russia was an important step in this direction.
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Defense Minister Rajnath Singh described this meeting as “meaningful and intensive”. He wrote on the social media platform x that during the meeting of SCO Defense Ministers in Kingdow, he was happy to meet Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belouusov. We discussed intensively on further strengthening the India-Russia defense relations.
Main point of meeting
S-400 air defense system supply
India signed a $ 5.43 billion deal with Russia in 2018, including the purchase of five S-400 Triumph air defense systems. This system is capable of destroying many air threats, such as missiles, drones and fighter aircraft over long distances.
So far, India has got three S-400 units. The remaining two units are expected to be delivered in the next 24 months. In this meeting, the Russian Defense Minister assured the timely delivery of these units. This system is important in increasing India’s defense capacity, especially when threats are increasing from neighboring countries like China and Pakistan.
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SU-30 MKI fighter aircraft upgrade
The Indian Air Force has about 260 su-30 MKI fighter aircraft, which are its backbone. These aircraft have played an important role in Operation Sindoor, in which they carried out attacks on Pakistani air locations using the air version of the BrahMos missile.
In this meeting, there was a discussion to modernize these aircraft. It plans to include new avionics (flight systems), advanced radar and 78% indigenous materials. This upgrade is part of India’s self -sufficient India initiative.
Quick purchase of important military equipment
India and Russia agreed to a huge supply of air defense, air -to -air missiles and other modern military equipment. This is necessary to further strengthen India’s defense preparations, especially given the threat from two fronts (Pakistan and China). The two countries also discussed intensifying joint projects such as BrahMos missile, T-90 tank, MiG-29, Kamov helicopter and AK-203 rifle.
Solidarity against terrorism
Russian Defense Minister Belwsov condemned the Pahalgam terror attack and described it as “cowardly”. He expressed solidarity with India and supported India’s stance against terrorism. Rajnath Singh also took a tough stand against terrorism in the SCO meeting and said that the centers of terrorism are no longer safe. We have to justify the sponsors of terrorism.
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History of India-Russia Defense Cooperation
Defense cooperation between India and Russia is several decades old. It is operated under the Indo-Russia Inter-Government Commission Military and Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-MTC). This cooperation is not only limited to the purchase of arms, but also includes joint research, co-development and production. There are some major projects …
- S-400 Air Defense System: To strengthen India’s air defense.
- T-90 tank and su-30 mki: Production under license in India.
- INS Vikramaditya: Navy aircraft carrier received from Russia.
- BrahMos missile: The joint project of India and Russia, which is the world’s fastest supersonic cruise missile.
- AK-203 Rifle: Its production has started in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh.
Russian Defense Minister Belwsov said that India is a very important strategic partner, traditional friend, and partner in the military-technical sector for us.
SCO meeting and regional references
The meeting was held under the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), which is an international organization established in 2001. Its member countries include India, China, Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran and Belarus. India became its full member in 2017 and presided over it in 2023.
Rajnath Singh appealed to unite against terrorism in the SCO meeting. Criticized the border terrorism coming from Pakistan, although he did not name it clearly. India refused to sign the SCO’s joint statement, as it did not mention the Pahalgam attack, but the incidents in Pakistan were mentioned.