Indian Defense Firms Hold Secret Talks in Moscow on Joint Ventures with Russia
Top Indian defense executives held secret meetings in Russia to discuss potential joint production projects.
The Gaze reports on it, referring to Reuters.
According to Reuters sources, at least half a dozen executives from top Indian arms makers, including Adani Defence and Bharat Forge visited Moscow in October 2025 to discuss joint production and development of Russian-origin weaponry.
These meetings marked the first visit by Indian defense business leaders to Russia since 2022, following the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and had not been previously reported.
The discussions focused on producing components for MiG-29 fighter jets, air defense systems, and other weaponry, as well as the possibility of establishing manufacturing facilities in India for potential export back to Russia. Joint development of new defense technologies, including helicopters, drones, and artificial intelligence systems for military use, was also considered.
A retired Lieutenant General, Arun Sahni, who serves as an advisor to Tata Sons’ defense unit, confirmed he was in Moscow in November in a personal capacity but said he did not attend the official meetings.
The meetings were held on the sidelines of a visit by an Indian defense-industrial delegation that aimed to prepare the groundwork for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India in early December. A representative of the advisory group of the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM), which includes over 500 Indian defense producers, was also present, though most major companies, such as Tata Sons, Larsen & Toubro, and Bharat Electronics, did not participate.
Western diplomats have previously noted that India’s longstanding defense ties with Russia, including the use of Russian-origin arms for about 36% of its military inventory, remain a key obstacle to acquiring sensitive Western technology. Any new collaboration with Russia could further complicate plans by Indian defense firms to jointly develop Western weapons, particularly given the risk of secondary sanctions.
During Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent state visit to New Delhi, both countries confirmed their intention to expand trade and military cooperation, aiming to reach $100 billion in bilateral trade by 2030. Trade between the two nations surged from $13 billion in 2021 to nearly $69 billion in 2024–2025, driven mainly by Indian energy exports to Russia, though it slowed to $28.25 billion between April and August 2025 due to sanctions and high US tariffs.
As The Gaze reported earlier, on August 7, Russia and India held bilateral security talks in Moscow, reaffirming their strategic partnership. Russian officials, including Sergei Shoigu, emphasized strengthening defense and security cooperation, while India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval discussed counterterrorism, defense procurement — including S-400 systems and Su-57 fighter jets — and collaboration in energy and commodities.
These talks reflect India’s continued reliance on Russian military technology, as well as Moscow’s interest in maintaining strong ties with New Delhi amid Western sanctions.
Read more on The Gaze: India and Russia: Situational Dependence Instead of a Strategic Alliance