India-Russia annual summit could boost bilateral naval partnership across Indo-Pacific region
Ahead of the summit, aide to the Russian president and chairman of the Maritime Board of Russia Nikolai Patrushev met defence secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh as well as top officers of the Indian Navy on Tuesday. The two sides discussed plans for joint exercises and matters related to strengthening military-technical cooperation, it has been learnt.
Issues of strategic stability in the Indo-Pacific region also figured in the deliberations as Russia seeks to enhance its naval presence in the Indian Ocean region to make it inclusive, according to people familiar with the issue.
India has been open to the presence of partner countries including Russia in the Indo-Pacific region to keep it stable and secure amid big power ambitions. The Vladivostok-Chennai maritime connectivity route and India’s Act Far East Policy are part of Indo-Russian cooperation in the Indo Pacific region.
During his meeting with shipping minister Sarbananda Sonowal here on Monday, Patrushev offered India initiatives in shipbuilding, including providing existing or developing new designs for fishing, passenger and auxiliary vessels.
Interestingly, Russian and Myanmar navies this week completed ‘MARUMEX-2025’ exercise in the Andaman Sea in what would make the Bay of Bengal inclusive amid ambitions of both the US and China to increase presence in the region.The exercise included elite counter-terror teams storming hijacked ships, joint command and control during manoeuvres, and search, detection and surveillance of mock enemy submarines. The main purpose of the exercise was to comprehensively develop and strengthen naval cooperation as well as to train in ensuring the safety of civilian navigation and maritime economic activities, according to the Russian ministry of defence.Meanwhile, external affairs minister S Jaishankar called on President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Tuesday and discussed various elements of the annual summit.
“Apprised him of preparations underway for the upcoming Annual India Russia Summit. Also discussed regional and global developments. Deeply value his perspectives and guidance on further advancement of our ties,” Jaishankar wrote on X following the meeting. On Wednesday Jaishankar met Russian Deputy PM Denis Manturov in Moscow and discussed preparations for the Summit.
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