New Delhi: Speaking at the inaugural India-Russia ‘2+2’ dialogue, Defense Minister Rajnath said India is facing challenges posed by “extraordinary militarization” in its neighborhood and “utterly unprovoked aggression” on the northern border.
The remarks came after India and Russia inked an agreement for joint production of over six lakh AK-203 rifles and extended military cooperation till 2031.
Along with Defense Minister Rajnath, the ‘2+2’ foreign and defense talks were attended by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov and Russian Defense Minister General Sergei Shoigu. The Ministers held wide-ranging discussions on strategically important bilateral and regional issues.
Without naming China, Rajnath Singh said: “The pandemic, the extraordinary militarization and expansion of weapons in our neighborhood and completely unprovoked aggression on our northern border since the early summer of 2020 have posed many challenges”, news agency PTI reported.
He said that India is confident of overcoming these challenges with the strong political will and inherent capability of its people.
“Recognizing that its development needs are enormous and that its defense challenges are legitimate, real and urgent, India seeks partners who are sensitive and responsive to India’s needs and requirements,” the defense minister said.
Rajnath Singh expressed hope that Russia will continue to be a major partner for India in these “changing circumstances”.
“We have urged the Defense Ministry for greater military-technical cooperation, advanced research, co-development and co-production of defense equipment for India’s self-reliance,” he said.
“Separately, we proposed greater engagement in Central Asia and the Indian Ocean region. India is a continuation of the vast Eurasian landmass as well as central to the vast Indian Ocean region.”
The Defense Minister further said that “we are optimistic about Russia’s cooperation in all areas”.
Referring to his bilateral meeting with Russian Defense Minister General Sergei Shoigu, Rajnath Singh said they discussed “emerging challenges facing India and India’s increased need for closer military and military-technical cooperation with Russia”. Was.
Afghanistan, including Central Asia, has huge consequences: S Jaishankar
Meanwhile, in his remarks, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said relations between India and Russia have been “close and time-tested” in a world that has changed a lot.
“They (relations) have been exceptionally stable,” he said.
Talking further about India-Russia relations, S Jaishankar said: “We are meeting at a critical juncture in the global geopolitical environment, which is in great flux especially after the COVID-19 pandemic”.
“As close friends and strategic partners, India and Russia are working together to safeguard our common interests and ensure peace, progress and prosperity for our peoples,” he said.
The External Affairs Minister also mentioned that the situation in Afghanistan has wide ranging implications, including in Central Asia.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has raised questions about the current model of global cases. But long-standing challenges remain as new ones emerge, chief among them terrorism, violent extremism and radicalization. The situation in Afghanistan, including in Central Asia, has wide-ranging implications,” he said, as quoted by PTI.
On the other hand, Russian Defense Minister General Sergei Shoigu said that bilateral military-technical cooperation is particularly important in India-Russia relations, and that he and Rajnath Singh had finalized plans for future cooperation.
Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov said that the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue Mechanism will further expand traditional understanding and help strengthen the bilateral Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.
“Both Russia and India have a similar worldview of a more multi-centred, more multi-polar, more equitable world order. We advocate equal or equal positions on the most important political and military issues,” he said.
(with agency input)
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