(MENAFN) Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov has underlined the significance of Moscow’s alliance with India, emphasizing that the enduring camaraderie between the two countries includes substantial cooperation in defense and military technology.

Belousov met with Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, held in Qingdao, China, on Thursday.

Their conversation focused on mutual interests, especially regarding military collaboration.

At the meeting, Belousov remarked, “India is an exceptionally important strategic partner for us, a traditional friend – including in the military and military-technical spheres.”

Singh responded by saying, “We had insightful deliberations on boosting India-Russia defense ties.”

India’s armed forces are still significantly dependent on Russian-made equipment, with approximately 60 percent of its military inventory comprising Russian-origin hardware.

A recent standoff with Pakistan showcased the value of this cooperation, as Indian air defense capabilities were enhanced by the deployment of Russian-produced S-400 surface-to-air missile systems.

The efficiency of these systems was recently acknowledged by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who commended their role during the confrontation.

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