Indian, Russian Army commanders discuss deeper defence ties as Indra 2026 naval exercise continues
Lieutenant General Mohit Malhotra meets Lieutenant General Igor Anatolyevich Seritsky to discuss India-Russia military cooperation. (Image courtesy: X/@adgpi)
New Delhi: Lieutenant General Mohit Malhotra, general officer commanding in chief of the Indian Army’s Sapta Shakti command, met Lieutenant General Igor Anatolyevich Seritsky, acting commander of Russia’s Moscow military district, on Wednesday to discuss closer military cooperation. The interaction focused on professional exchanges and potential areas of collaboration as India and Russia pursued separate naval and regional security engagements.
In an official post on X, the Indian Army said the interaction focused on “deepening bilateral military ties, enhancing professional exchanges and exploring avenues for greater collaboration in areas of mutual interest”, reinforcing the longstanding India-Russia defence partnership. No new agreement, joint operation or specific commitment was announced.
The interaction follows the September visit of the chief of the Army staff, General Dhiraj Seth, to Moscow, where he held talks with Russian forces deputy commander in chief, Colonel General Alexander Matovnikov, on strengthening military cooperation. Their discussions covered projects aimed at improving combat readiness and expanding professional engagement between the two armies.
Such professional interactions allow military commanders to exchange operational experience, understand each other’s procedures and identify opportunities for future training and cooperation. However, the Army did not disclose specific projects or a timetable for further engagements.
The commanders’ meeting coincided with the bilateral naval exercise Indra 2026, being conducted from October 13 to 18. As RNA Media reported earlier, Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sahyadri, an indigenously built Shivalik-class stealth frigate, arrived in Vladivostok on October 10 to participate in the exercise alongside Russia’s Pacific Fleet.
The programme combines harbour based professional interactions with coordinated activities at sea to improve operational coordination and interoperability, according to the defence ministry. It also includes social and cultural exchanges between the two navies.
During the port visit, INS Sahyadri hosted Russian naval personnel, local officials and Indian diplomats for a reception. Its commanding officer met Vice Admiral AY Sysuev, commander of the Russian Pacific Fleet’s Primorsky Flotilla, while sailors from both countries took part in sporting exchanges, according to the Indian mission in Vladivostok.
The defence ministry said the deployment builds on the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit held on December 4 and 5, 2025. The naval exercise is separate from the Army commanders’ interaction, and neither announcement linked the two to a new joint operation.
Separate consultations on Pakistan and Afghanistan
India and Russia also held the seventh round of their Special Mechanism on Pakistan and Afghanistan in New Delhi on October 14. The discussions were co-chaired by India’s deputy national security advisor, Pavan Kapoor, and Aleksandr Venediktov, deputy secretary of Russia’s security council.
The officials discussed matters of common interest and their implications for international security, the Ministry of External Affairs said. Venediktov also met India’s national security advisor, Ajit Doval, during his visit.
The foreign ministry announced no specific new measures, and there is no official indication that the Army commanders discussed Pakistan or Afghanistan. Indra 2026 is scheduled to conclude on October 18, while no further commitments from the commanders’ meeting have been announced.
