Sat Dec 07 11:37:38 UTC 2024: ## Indian Defence Minister to Visit Russia, Commission New Warship

**Moscow, December 7, 2024** – Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will embark on a three-day visit to Russia beginning December 8th, culminating in the commissioning of a new stealth warship into the Indian Navy. The visit will also involve discussions with his Russian counterpart, Andrey Belousov, on expanding bilateral defense cooperation, particularly in military hardware co-production.

The highlight of the trip will be the commissioning ceremony of the Tushil, a Russian-manufactured multi-role stealth-guided missile frigate, in Kaliningrad on December 9th. The advanced frigate is expected to significantly enhance India’s naval capabilities in the Indian Ocean. Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi will join Mr. Singh for the ceremony.

During his visit, Mr. Singh and Mr. Belousov will co-chair the 21st meeting of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military and Military Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-M&MTC) in Moscow on December 10th. Discussions will cover a wide range of defense cooperation, including military-to-military and industrial collaborations, as well as regional and global issues. Sources indicate that co-production of military hardware will be a key focus of the talks. Mr. Singh will also pay tribute at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and interact with members of the Indian community in Moscow. The visit follows Prime Minister Modi’s trip to Moscow in July, where both sides committed to strengthening defense ties.

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