Rajnath Singh meets Vladimir Putin, says India-Russia ties higher than the highest mountain

India-Russia friendship is "higher than the highest mountain and deeper than the deepest ocean", Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said at a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Tuesday.

Both leaders expressed that the partnership between the countries holds immense potential, and combined efforts will pave the way for remarkable outcomes, an Indian readout of the meeting said.

"During the meeting, Rajnath Singh said 'friendship between our countries is higher than the highest mountain and deeper than the deepest ocean'," the readout by the defence ministry said.


Earlier in the day, Singh, during his meeting with his Russian counterpart Andrey Belousov in Moscow, exhorted Russian defence industries to explore new opportunities under 'Make in India' projects.

During the meeting, Singh voiced India's determination to extend the capabilities of its domestic defence industry across domains and industrial collaboration. He stressed on new opportunities for enhancing participation of Russian industries in the 'Make in India' projects, according to officials.

Sources said in bilateral talks Singh requested for early delivery of the two S 400 air defence missile system squadrons that have been delayed. He also spoke of an expansion of the joint venture with Kalashnikov to include more products as well as exports. In particular, sources said the minister pitched to repair and overhaul of systems like T 90 tanks and Su 30MKI jets in India.