The meeting comes as India and Russia expand military cooperation, with support for Russian-origin equipment and training on the agenda

Indian Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth is in Russia on a three-day official visit through Friday, where he will hold talks with Russian Land Forces chief Colonel General Andrei Mordvichev as the two countries deepen military cooperation.

One of the key topics on Seth's agenda is the availability of spare parts and supplies for Russian-origin military equipment in service with the Indian Army. The issue is also critical for the many upgrade programs New Delhi is running to extend the service life of some Russian hardware, such as the T0 Bhishma tanks.

Russia accounted for 40% of India's arms imports over 2021 to 2025, making it the largest supplier over that period, according to Stockholm International Peace Research Institute data. In March, India signed a $46 million contract with Russia's Rosoboronexport to procure the Tunguska air defense missile systems for the Indian Army.

Seth's talks with Mordvichev are expected to cover professional military cooperation, training, and other areas of mutual interest. He is also scheduled to visit Russia's National Defense Control Centre in Moscow and meet senior Defense Ministry officials, including Deputy Defense Minister Vasily Osmakov, whose portfolio covers defense industry and procurement.

The India-Russia defense relationship has expanded beyond equipment purchases to joint production and technology cooperation, including projects such as the BrahMos missile. India and Russia also conduct regular military exercises, including the Indra series, which is a part of bilateral defense cooperation since 2003.

Seth's visit comes days after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin met on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in New Delhi. The two leaders reviewed bilateral cooperation across political, economic, defense, energy, space and other sectors during their September 11 meeting.

The Indian Army chief received a ceremonial Guard of Honor and paid tributes to fallen soldiers at Moscow's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The Indian Defense Ministry said the visit is aimed at strengthening the longstanding defense partnership and military-to-military cooperation between the two countries.

Seth will later travel to St. Petersburg, where he is scheduled to visit the Mikhailovskaya Military Artillery Academy and meet its leadership and faculty.

(RT.com)