Terrorism, INS Tamal feature in 'insightful' discussion between Rajnath Singh, Russian Defence Minister Andrey Belousov

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held talks with his Russian counterpart Andrey Belousov on the sidelines of a defence ministerial conclave of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

 

The two leaders discussed evolving regional security scenarios and bilateral defence and strategic ties.

 

Calling the discussion "insightful" Singh, in a tweet, said, "Happy to have met the Defence Minister of Russia, Andrey Belousov, on the sidelines of the SCO Defence Ministers' Meeting in Qingdao. We had insightful deliberations on boosting India-Russia defence ties."

 

Singh is understood to have highlighted India's challenge of cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan.

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According to news agency PTI, the two also discussed the commissioning of the Indian Navy's Russian-manufactured guided missile frigate INS Tamal at Russia's coastal city of Kaliningrad on July 1.

 

INS Tamal, the second ship of the Tushil Class, which are the upgraded versions of their predecessors, Talwar and Teg classes, has been built at Yantar shipyard in Kaliningrad. The warship has 26 per cent indigenous components, including the BrahMos long-range cruise missile for targeting both at sea and land.

 

India and Russia have a robust and longstanding defence partnership, which includes deep institutional engagement, joint development projects, and ongoing military cooperation.

Defence