Amidst rising border tension with China, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today embarked on a three-day visit to Russia during which he will hold talks with top Russian military brass.
Singh's visit is primarily to attend a grand military parade in Moscow to mark the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War 2.
The defence minister's visit to Russia comes in the midst of an escalating border standoff between India and China, particularly after the killing of 20 Indian Army personnel by Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh's Galwan Valley on June 15.
"The visit to Russia will give me an opportunity to hold talks on ways to further deepen the India-Russia defence and strategic partnership. I shall also be attending the 75th Victory Day Parade in Moscow," Singh tweeted before leaving for Moscow.
The defence minister is likely to hold a series of meetings with top Russian military officials with a focus on further amping up military cooperation between the two countries.
The Economic Times reported today that Singh, during his talks in Moscow, is likely to ask Russia to speed up the delivery of S-400 triumf anti-missile shield, a weapon system China has already acquired from Russia.
A tri-service 75-member Indian military contingent has already reached Moscow to participate in the Victory Day parade.
The Indian team will participate in the parade alongside armed forces personnel from at least 11 countries, including China.
Singh's visit to Moscow, the first by a senior Indian minister abroad since the coronavirus pandemic broke out, went ahead as the assessment in New Delhi is that this was the right time to engage with Russia at the present juncture.
Russia will also host a meeting of a three-nation grouping of foreign ministers of Russia, India and China tomorrow.
