No More Weapons' Sale to Pakistan: Russia Reassures India

In a bid to increase engagement among defence industries between India and Russia, Moscow on Thursday evening assured New Delhi that it will not supply arms to Pakistan. Russia, in the past, had supplied Pakistan with half a dozen helicopters to which India had objected and the supplies were suspended.

It is significant to note that Russia is the largest supplier of weapons and equipment to India, including the lease of a classified nuclear submarine. Moscow also reaterated that it stands by New Delhi’s security interests at a wider level.

The discussions were part of an hour-long meeting of the Indian delegation led by Rajnath Singh alongwith Defence Secretary, Dr Ajay Kumar and other senior officials. On the Russian side the delegation was led by Defence Minister Gen Sergey Shoigu.

 

 

Both sides also discussed the making of a new type of rifle, the AK203, in India. The two countries said that the discussions were at an advanced stage for the establishment of an India-Russian joint venture for the production of the rifle, which is considered one of the most modern weapons available for infantry forces.

 

Besides this, both countries started a vital two-day “Indra” naval exercise to be conducted off the Straits of Malacca on September 4 and 5.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh noted that “these exercises demonstrated the common interests of both countries in maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region”.