India and Russia push to expand defence ties with more joint production

India and Russia are seeking to push one of Asia’s oldest defence relationships beyond arms sales and into a more technology-driven industrial partnership, analysts have said, with missile exports and fighter-jet offers emerging as early tests.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shook hands and embraced on Friday ahead of last weekend’s Brics summit in New Delhi, prompting Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal to post on social media: “A bond that keeps growing stronger!”

Analysts said the meeting pointed to a deeper recalibration of defence ties, as Delhi and Moscow explored more joint production, technology transfer and export-focused weapons development.

Srikumar Menon, a former Indian diplomat, said discussions on modernising BrahMos missiles and Moscow’s offer of technology transfer for Su-57 stealth fighter jets to India showed “the growing maturity, depth and strategic sophistication” of India-Russia defence cooperation.