Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the visiting President of Russian Federation Vladimir Putin discussed a broad range of new defence projects. The two leaders also discussed how to align the defence relations between the two nations to India's own priorities, including Make in India.
"I am pleased that Russia has offered to fully manufacture in India one of its most advanced helicopters. It includes the possibility of exports from India. It can be used for both military and civilian use. We will follow up on this quickly," PM Modi told the media.
"I also proposed that Russia should locate manufacturing facilities in India for spares and components for Russian defence equipment in India. He responded very positively to my request," he said.
The Indian PM also observed that the two nations have a ‘strategic partnership that is incomparable in content'. "The character of global politics and international relations is changing. However, the importance of this relationship and its unique place in India's foreign policy will not change. In many ways, its significance to both countries will grow further in the future," he said.
Russia has been India's foremost defence partner through decades. Modi's first visit outside Delhi as Prime Minister was to India's new aircraft carrier, INS Vikramaditya. "Even as India's options have increased today, Russia will remain our most important defence partner," the Indian PM said.
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