CDS Gen Chauhan holds talks with top Russian Navy commander

Discussions underscored mutual commitment towards enhancing maritime security, deepening strategic cooperation and fostering a stronger defence partnership between the two nations, the headquarters of Integrated Defence Staff said.

New Delhi: Ahead of India receiving an advanced stealth frigate from Russia, the chief of the Russian Navy on Monday held talks with the top brass of the Indian military to further boost the defence cooperation between the two long-term allies.

Admiral Aleksandr Alekseyevich Moiseyev, Commander-in-Chief, Russian Federation Navy had talks with Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan besides calling on Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi and Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane.

The Russian navy chief, who is visiting India between Aug 19-22, held discussions on collaborative mechanisms and measures to further strengthen navy to navy cooperation, the Defence Ministry said in a statement.

He will also travel to Mumbai to interact with the officials of the Western Naval Command and Mazagon dock.

The visit comes ahead of the delivery of the Russia-made warship Tushil, which is likely to be handed over to the Indian Navy within a few weeks. A second warship, Tamal, may be handed over to India early next year.

The manufacturing of the two ships at a Russian shipyard is the outcome of a 2016 pact between New Delhi and Moscow to make four such warships as a follow on to the Talwar programme. The other two ships are being made by the Goa Shipyard Ltd.

Last month INS Tabar visited St Petersburg in Russia for four days to participate in the Russian Navy Day Parade celebrations.