JJ to Visit Russia

New Delhi, Aug 19 (UNI) Army Chief General JJ Singh is slated to visit Russia over five days beginning tomorrow -- almost three years since the last Indian Army Chief, Gen NC Vij, visited Russia in June 2003.

According to an official spokesman here, the visit assumes significance in the light of the continuing -- and increasing -- defence cooperation between the two countries.

During the visit, the Army Chief will meet the Russian Chief of General Staff Gen Yuri N Baluyevsky, Chief of Land Forces and Chief of Airborne Troops Lt Gen Vladimir Kolmakov. He will also visit important establishments of the Russian forces and defence industries.

Indo-Russian bilateral relations are historical, multifaceted and based on mutual trust and confidence, the spokesman observed.

Russia has been the major defence equipment supplier to the Indian Army. Presently, the ongoing defence cooperation encompasses equipment procurement, exchange of delegations, conduct of joint exercises, joint designing, and development and marketing of military equipment.

Joint development and production of the BrahMos missile is an example of cooperation in the field of equipment production. The first ever Airborne exercise between the two Armies was conducted last year in India.

Gen JJ Singh's visit is expected to give a fresh impetus to existing defence cooperation as also further diversify Army-to-Army cooperation in the field of training, exchange of experts in the field of mutual interests, attendance in seminars and participation in sports and adventure activities, the spokesman pointed out.

UNI DG VD BST1950