Russia’s Ambassador to India, Denis Alipov, celebrated the deep success of the India-Russia defense partnership, specifically praising the achievements in joint production and technology sharing. He emphasized that this cooperation has long surpassed a “traditional buyer-seller model.”
In a speech in Delhi, Alipov listed a series of flagship projects: “Our shared achievements, including the joint production of BrahMos supersonic and soon-to-be hypersonic cruise missiles, Su-30 MKI jets, T-90 main battle tanks, AK-203 rifles, and naval frigates in India will continue to expand.”
This robust collaboration, which accounts for about 70% of India’s military hardware, serves as the foundation for future endeavors. Alipov announced that, “Building on this legacy, we can move confidently toward local production of the Su-57 fifth-generation fighter.”
This defense reassurance comes at a critical time. Donald Trump recently claimed India would halt Russian oil imports, a statement that sparked speculation about the relationship. The US has also imposed steep tariffs on India, partly as a penalty for this oil trade.
Both India and Russia downplayed Trump’s claim. The MEA cited “national interest” in energy security, while Alipov maintained the oil supplies are “beneficial” for India, reinforcing the economic and military pillars of the partnership.