NSA Ajit Doval today held high-level discussions with senior Russian officials in Moscow to strengthen defence and security cooperation between India and Russia. The meeting, part of a pre-scheduled visit, comes at a diplomatically sensitive time as US President Donald Trump announced a sharp hike in tariffs on Indian goods in response to New Delhi's continued oil purchases from Russia.
The talks centred on enhancing the longstanding strategic collaboration between the two countries, with a particular focus on defence industry cooperation. According to officials familiar with the matter, Doval's agenda includes reviewing progress on key bilateral defence projects and exploring new avenues under the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military and Military Technical Cooperation.
India and Russia share a decades-long history of military and technical cooperation. Their defence partnership includes the supply and production of a wide range of equipment and systems, such as the S-400 air defence system, Su-30 MKI fighter jets, T-90 tanks, MiG-29 aircraft, Kamov helicopters, and the jointly developed BrahMos supersonic cruise missile.
One of the most notable collaborations is the production of AK-203 assault rifles in India under a joint venture, reflecting a strong push toward defence indigenisation. The acquisition of the INS Vikramaditya aircraft carrier (formerly Admiral Gorshkov) remains a symbol of the depth of Indo-Russian military ties.
The visit assumes added significance as India continues to assert its strategic autonomy amid increasing geopolitical friction. While New Delhi maintains its right to pursue an independent foreign policy-including energy and defence ties with Moscow-Washington's latest tariff move underscores the complex diplomatic environment India must navigate.
Commenting on the visit, senior diplomat and former ambassador Anil Trigunayat said, "India and Russia's relationship is governed by the matrix of a special and privileged strategic partnership, with an extensive institutional network across the whole spectrum. NSA-level dialogue in security and critical areas of convergence and cooperation is an integral part of it. It acquires greater significance as we are expecting President Putin to visit India later in the year for the bilateral annual summit, which is a preserve of the few. Key contours of the outcomes of the visit may be worked out, including the ongoing global challenges both countries are facing, including new constraints that President Trump has erected."
NSA Doval is expected to meet with top officials from Russia's security establishment and defence industry leaders before returning to New Delhi later this week.