What happened?
On 26 June 2025, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met Russian Defence Minister Andrey Belousov on the sidelines of the SCO meeting in Qingdao. Discussions covered geopolitical security and bilateral defence cooperation. Russia expressed solidarity with India over the Pahalgam attack. Key outcomes included agreements on S-400 deliveries, Su-30 MKI upgrades, and expedited procurement of critical defence equipment.
Why it matters to India
The meeting signals deepening Indo-Russian defence ties amid India’s strategic push for defence preparedness following Operation Sindoor. Russia’s support on counterterrorism and agreement on swift military hardware delivery reflects strong bilateral coordination. These developments are vital for maintaining India’s operational readiness and defence self-reliance.