What happened
India and Russia held the 5th meeting of the Working Group on Military Cooperation under the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military and Military-Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-M&MTC) in New Delhi on October 30, 2025. The meeting was co-chaired by Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff, and Lt Gen Dylevsky Igor Nikolaevich, Deputy Chief of the Main Operational Directorate of Russia. Both sides reviewed ongoing defence cooperation initiatives and discussed new opportunities for collaboration and knowledge-sharing.
Why it matters to India
The meeting reinforced the long-standing India-Russia defence partnership, focusing on enhancing training exchanges, joint exercises, and future military engagements. It also builds on previous sessions, including the fourth meeting held in Moscow, where both sides agreed to expand joint exercises like INDRA, AVIA INDRA, and INDRA NAVY—key platforms for operational synergy and mutual learning. The discussions reaffirm India and Russia’s shared commitment to their Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership and continued collaboration in defence and military technology.