What happened?
On August 20th, 2025, Russian charge d’affaires Roman Babushkin said Russia is expected to be part of India’s new air defence system, Sudarshan Chakra, unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Independence Day. Speaking at a press briefing in New Delhi, Babushkin highlighted the rapid growth in India-Russia ties across defence, energy, and trade. He described Russia as a “partner of choice” with India on military platforms and hardware requirements.
Why it matters to India
Babushkin’s comments highlight Russia’s integral role in India’s Sudarshan Chakra air defence project, reflecting deepening strategic and defence cooperation between the two countries. The collaboration also signals resilience in bilateral ties amid external pressures, including US sanctions on India’s Russian oil imports. Beyond energy, the Sudarshan Chakra partnership underscores the broader mutual trust and complementarity in defence and security, positioning India-Russia cooperation as an important aspect of India’s strategic ties.