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COVER STORY NOVEMBER 28, 2025 | The Indian Eye 8

INDIA–RUSSIA TIES

New High as Moscow Offers Su-57

Tech Transfer Ahead of Putin Visit

Russia has signalled its strongest commitment in years to India’s defense and strategic needs and holding a
series of high-level meetings to boost cooperation across defense, trade and maritime security

OUR BUREAU velopment, shipbuilding and blue
economy projects were highlighted as
Moscow / Dubai / New Delhi
emerging pillars of the partnership.
he diplomatic and defense cho- Modi conveyed his greetings to Pres-
reography unfolding between ident Putin and said he looked for-
TIndia and Russia over the past ward to hosting him in India.
week marks a rare moment of align- Together, these diplomatic move-
ment, ambition and strategic clarity. ments reflect a broader recalibration.
From the Dubai Air Show to the cor- India–Russia ties, long defined by de-
ridors of the Kremlin, senior leaders fense cooperation, are now widening
and defense officials have signalled a into new fields: industrial manufactur-
renewed commitment to deepening ing, maritime capabilities, energy, blue
a partnership that has shaped India’s economy, and economic integration.
security landscape for decades. Jaishankar’s visit also had a sym-
The most consequential an- bolic component. He paid homage
nouncement came from Sergey Che- to Mahatma Gandhi in Moscow and
mezov, CEO of Russia’s state-owned inaugurated new Indian consulates in
defense conglomerate Rostec, who Yekaterinburg and Kazan — a major
declared that Moscow is ready to sup- expansion of India’s diplomatic foot-
port “whatever India requires” — in- print in Russia. The minister said the
cluding an unprecedented offer of full new missions would boost trade, tour-
technology transfer for the Su-57, Rus- ism, scientific and academic exchang-
sia’s fifth-generation stealth fighter. es and deepen people-to-people ties.
Speaking to ANI in Dubai, The timing of all this diplomacy
Chemezov underlined the External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar calls on Russian President Vladimir Putin, in Moscow — just weeks before Putin lands in
depth of the relationship: New Delhi — underscores how both
“India and Russia have been part- on Tuesday (@DrSJaishankar X/ANI Photo) countries are preparing for a summit
ners for many years. Even when India that could reset their partnership for
was under sanctions, we supplied the variant, reviving the shelved Fifth Jaishankar and Manturov dis- the next decade.
country with weapons to ensure its se- Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) cussed progress across trade, invest- For India, the Su-57 offer is not
curity… Today we continue the same concept. According to the Russian ment, energy, industrial collaboration just a defense procurement option; it
approach, supplying India with what- side, all of India’s “demands and con- and the implementation of decisions is a signal of trust and strategic flex-
ever military equipment it needs.” cerns” about the aircraft have been from the 26th Inter-Governmental ibility at a time when global supply
For New Delhi, long wary of re- deemed “completely acceptable.” Commission. In a post on X, the In- chains are fractured and geopolitical
stricted technology regimes imposed This offer, if accepted, would dian minister said it was a “pleasure” blocks are hardening. For Russia,
by Western suppliers, the Russian represent one of the most ambitious to meet Manturov and noted that deepening ties with India strength-
message is significant: no limitations defense co-development projects in both sides were aligned on next steps ens its Asian outreach and balances
and no political strings. India’s history — ensuring local man- ahead of the summit. its foreign policy beyond China and
A senior Rosoboronexport rep- ufacturing, long-term upgrade path- The Russian Embassy in India Europe.
resentative went further, outlining a ways and insulation from geopoliti- said the meeting covered “priority In a world divided by conflicts,
detailed proposal for India’s future cally motivated sanctions. sectors” and preparations for Pu- sanctions and shifting alliances, the
air combat roadmap. Moscow is of- The renewed defense pitch tin’s visit, emphasizing the expanding events of the past week show that
fering the Su-57 manufactured in comes as External Affairs Minister S. scope of cooperation. New Delhi and Moscow remain
Russia initially, followed by a phased Jaishankar concluded a high-profile Back in New Delhi, Prime Min- committed to a partnership built on
shift of production to India — along visit to Moscow, where he met Pres- ister Narendra Modi received Ni- continuity, pragmatism and strategic
with transfer of advanced technolo- ident Putin, Foreign Minister Sergey kolai Patrushev, Putin’s close aide autonomy.
gies such as engines, low observable Lavrov, and Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the MariFTheir As the Air Show announcements
materials, AESA radar, optical sys- Denis Manturov. The meetings re- discussions focused on the maritime merge with high-level diplomatic
tems, AI elements and next-genera- viewed preparations for the upcom- domain — an area both sides increas- engagements, India–Russia ties ap-
tion weapons. ing India–Russia Annual Summit in ingly view as central to future coop- pear poised for a major leap — one
Crucially, Russia has also agreed New Delhi next month — the first in eration. anchored in technology, trust and a
to jointly develop a two-seat Su-57E two years. Connectivity corridors, skill de- shared vision for the future.

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