Chief of the Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth wrapped up his three-day official visit to Russia on 18 September 2026, marking the first such tour by an Indian Army chief since General Bipin Rawat’s trip in 2018. The engagements in Moscow and St Petersburg focused on joint capability development, professional military exchanges, artillery modernisation and the sharing of operational experience, giving fresh momentum to the longstanding India-Russia defence partnership.
Keywords: General Dhiraj Seth Russia visit, India-Russia defence cooperation, Mikhailovskaya Military Artillery Academy, Indian Army Chief Moscow, artillery modernisation India Russia
In Moscow, General Seth held substantive discussions with General Yunus-Bek Yevkurov, Deputy Minister of Defence of the Russian Federation. The talks centred on expanding military-to-military engagement and exploring avenues for joint capability development. He also visited the Headquarters of the Russian Land Forces, where the two sides exchanged perspectives on contemporary military developments and measures to deepen cooperation in training and professional experience-sharing. Seth received a ceremonial Guard of Honour and paid homage at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, underscoring the historical depth of the bilateral military relationship.
The visit’s standout institutional engagement took place in St Petersburg. At the prestigious Mikhailovskaya Military Artillery Academy, General Seth interacted with faculty members on training methodologies and the modernisation of artillery systems. He was accorded the unique honour of firing the traditional cannon at the historic Peter and Paul Fortress, a ceremonial gesture that symbolised the warmth and continuity of professional military ties between the two armies.
The tour assumes particular significance against the backdrop of India’s ongoing efforts to sustain and upgrade its extensive inventory of Russian-origin platforms while advancing indigenous defence production. Officials noted that the interactions reinforced institutional exchanges and the sharing of best practices, moving the partnership beyond traditional equipment supplies towards deeper operational and training collaboration.
Coming days after the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi, General Seth’s visit has further cemented the enduring strategic trust between India and Russia. It highlights the continued relevance of sustained military diplomacy and Army-to-Army engagement in an evolving global security environment.
contact: drrajeshjauhri@gmail.com
Dr Rajesh Jauhri is a Journalist with an experience of over 25 years in Indian and foreign media, a Social Scientist, an Ac-complished Author, a Political & Strategic Analyst, a Marksman (Rifle & Pistol), an Orator, a Thinker and an Educationist. He holds a Ph.D. degree on “Impact of colonial heritage on Indian police”. He runs an NGO dedicated to the social and eco-nomic uplift of tribal communities in MP and two decades back, he established a school in a village of Indore district, providing education and moral values to children belonging to underprivileged and minority families. Has received multiple awards in various fields.