Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday met Russian Defence Minister Andrey Belousov on the margins of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Qingdao, holding wide-ranging discussions on military hardware procurement, upgrades to frontline aircraft, and enhancing defence production partnerships.

The meeting focused on the supply of S-400 air defence systems, urgent upgrades to Su-30 MKI fighter jets, and acceleration in procurement timelines for critical hardware. A statement from the Ministry of Defence called it “one of the most important recent meetings” between the two nations, citing the backdrop of Operation Sindoor and growing emphasis on self-reliant defence production.

Belousov expressed Russia’s support for India in the wake of the “horrendous and cowardly terrorist act” in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam on 22 April, which he condemned during the bilateral exchange.

India and Russia, bound by decades of military cooperation, also touched upon counter-terrorism, regional security, and current geopolitical developments. Singh, reflecting on the meeting, wrote on X, “Happy to have met the Defence Minister of Russia, Andrey Belousov on the sidelines of SCO Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Qingdao. We had insightful deliberations on boosting India-Russia defence ties.”

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Happy to have met the Defence Minister of Russia, Andrey Belousov on the sidelines of SCO Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Qingdao. We had insightful deliberations on boosting India-Russia defence ties. pic.twitter.com/i9yvyS1gQR — Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) June 26, 2025

India declined to sign the joint communique at the SCO defence ministers’ meeting, with government sources indicating dissatisfaction over the language of the document. The omission of any reference to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam and the inclusion of incidents in Pakistan prompted the decision, sources said.

Rajnath Singh arrived in Qingdao earlier on Thursday and was received by Chinese Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun. The two, along with other SCO counterparts, posed for a group photograph ahead of the day’s deliberations.

Russia has promised India that it would complete the delivery of the two remaining S-400 Triumf air defence squadrons by 2027. The two sides also discussed upgrades to Su-30MKI fighter jets, joint defence production and modernisation of platforms during the bilateral defence talks on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Qingdao, China.

India and Russia also discussed air-to-air missile systems and other advanced defence technologies, and explored opportunities for joint production, modernisation of defence platforms, and enhancement of strategic collaboration, said a government statement on Friday (June 27).

Cross-border terrorism discussed

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Russian counterpart Andrey Belousov discussed cross-border terrorism, with Moscow expressing solidarity with New Delhi on the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in which 25 Indians were killed. They also discussed broader geopolitical concerns and strategic collaboration, said the Indian government release.

Defence talks in the wake of Operation Sindoor

The discussions came in the wake of India’s Operation Sindoor in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. The two sides reaffirmed their time-tested, long-standing defence partnership and commitment to regional stability.

What’s the situation with S400 defence system?

The S400 Triumf air defence system played a crucial role during India’s Operation Sindoor in May. The delivery of two more S-400 systems, as contracted, was delayed due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. Now, Russia has promised that one of these will be delivered in 2026 and the final one in 2027. India has deployed three squadrons of the Russian missile defence in various sectors to counter threats from Pakistan and China.

More about S-400 Triumf

The Russian air defence system protected India’s major military assets from Pakistani attacks. Pakistan initially claimed to have destroyed a battery of S-400, but PM Narendra Modi disproved this, standing in front of the S-400 after Operation Sindoor, when he visited the Adampur airbase.

India and Russia have discussed the timely delivery of the remaining S-400 air defence systems and upgrades to Su-30 fighter jets, alongside broader defence cooperation, during a key meeting at the SCO summit in China.

During the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Defense Ministers’ meeting in Qingdao, Russian Defence Minister Andrey Belousov and Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held talks focused on strengthening military ties.

Topics included the delivery of the remaining S-400 Triumf missile system units, upgrades to India’s Su-30 MKI fighter jets, and the fast-tracking of critical military hardware procurement, according to an Indian Defence Ministry statement.

India signed a $5.43 billion deal in 2018 for five squadrons of the S-400 air defence system. While Russia delivered three of them starting in December 2021—now stationed along India’s borders with Pakistan and China—the final two, containing 118 missiles each, are due by 2027.

India, a long-time operator of Russian defence equipment, has used Su-30 jets since 1996 and is now pursuing upgrades to enhance their capabilities.

The Indian ministry noted the significance of the meeting, especially in light of recent Operation Sindoor against Pakistan, and emphasized the need to boost production of critical defense items.

New Delhi: Upgrading India’s Sukhoi-30MKI fighter fleet, production of air-to-air missiles and expeditious supply of two batches of S-400 missile systems figured prominently in Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s talks with his Russian counterpart Andrey Belousov in the Chinese city of Qingdao.

The two defence ministers held a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of a conclave of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Thursday.

The Indian Air Force is operating around 260 Sukhoi 30-MKI jets, and it is looking at upgrading the fleet under an ambitious plan.

The Russian-origin Sukhoi jets played a key role in Operation Sindoor last month.

Singh and Belousov held in-depth discussions on a range of subjects covering current geopolitical situations, cross-border terrorism and Indo-Russian defence cooperation, the defence ministry said Friday.

The Russian defence minister highlighted the long-standing Indo-Russian relations and expressed solidarity with India on the horrendous and cowardly Pahalgam terrorist attack, it said.

“Supply of S-400 systems, Su-30 MKI upgrades, and procurement of critical military hardware in expeditious timeframes were some of the key takeaways of the meeting,” the ministry said in a statement.

“It was one of the most important recent meetings between the leaders of the two nations, being held in the backdrop of Operation Sindoor and the consequent necessity of augmenting defence production, especially in critical items such as air defence, air-to-air missiles, modern capabilities, and upgrades of air platforms,” it said.

In his talks with Belousov, Singh pressed for expediting the supply of the two remaining units of S-400 Triumf surface-to-air missile systems to India, it is learnt.

Russia has already supplied three units of the long-range missile systems to India under a USD 5.5 billion deal.

The missile systems were used extensively by the Indian Air Force during the May 7-10 military conflict with Pakistan.

Singh also held separate bilateral talks with his counterparts from Belarus, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan on the margins of the SCO meet.

“In his interaction with the ministers, Raksha Mantri highlighted the importance of continued engagement in defence cooperation and exploring new opportunities for collaboration in areas of technical collaboration,” the defence ministry said.

He highlighted the rapid advances made by India in the field of defence production.

Singh also briefed his counterparts on the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor that was aimed at dismantling the terrorist networks in Pakistan.

PTI

TIT Correspondent

info@impressivetimes.com

NEW DELHI, 27 JUNE: Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh held a significant bilateral meeting with Russian Defence Minister Mr. Andrey Belousov on June 26, 2025, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Qingdao, China. The meeting came at a crucial juncture amid evolving geopolitical challenges and growing regional security concerns, marking one of the most critical recent engagements between India and Russia.

During their discussion, the two leaders engaged in in-depth deliberations on a range of issues, including the prevailing global security environment, cross-border terrorism, and the strengthening of the long-standing Indo-Russian defence partnership. The meeting also underscored the strategic importance of enhanced collaboration in defence production and military capability-building between the two nations.

Russian Defence Minister Belousov reaffirmed Moscow’s commitment to its historic ties with New Delhi, highlighting the resilience of Indo-Russian relations in the face of changing global dynamics. He also conveyed Russia’s strong condemnation of the heinous terrorist attack that occurred in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, on April 22, 2025. Expressing solidarity with India, he extended heartfelt condolences for the lives lost in what he described as a “horrendous and cowardly” act of terror.

A key focus of the meeting was the impact of Operation Sindoor, India’s recent strategic counter-terror operation, and the emerging necessity to accelerate domestic defence production in key areas. The two sides discussed avenues to enhance collaboration in critical technologies, including air defence systems, air-to-air missile capabilities, and modernization of existing air platforms.

Among the major defence-related outcomes was the reaffirmation of timely supply and deployment of the advanced S-400 air defence systems, which are crucial to India’s layered air defence architecture. Additionally, the leaders discussed the fast-tracking of Su-30 MKI fighter jet upgrades and the procurement of essential military hardware under expedited timelines.

Both Ministers emphasized the shared vision of strategic autonomy, regional stability, and mutual defence cooperation. They also reviewed the progress of ongoing defence projects and expressed interest in expanding joint research, development, and production initiatives under the Make in India framework.

The bilateral meeting in Qingdao reinforced the enduring nature of the Indo-Russian defence relationship, rooted in mutual trust and strategic alignment. As both nations navigate a complex global environment, the dialogue between Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh and Minister Belousov highlighted the shared commitment to deeper military collaboration and concerted efforts to address emerging threats.

This high-level interaction is expected to further energize Indo-Russian defence ties and contribute meaningfully to regional security under the broader framework of SCO cooperation.