Antony describes Indo-Russian inter-governmental defence meet as "landmark" event

New Delhi: Indian defence minister AK Antony has described the outcome of the eighth meeting of the Indo-Russian inter-governmental commission on military technical cooperation (IRIGC-MTC), held in New Delhi on Monday, as 'a landmark event in the close and strategic bilateral relations between India and Russia'.

Speaking at a banquet hosted in honour of the visiting Russian defence minister Anatoly Serdyukov last night, Antony said the meeting discussed issues relating to regional and global peace and security.

"This is an important event not only between the defence ministries of the two countries but also a landmark event in our close and strategic bilateral relations and an important step in maintaining regional and global peace and security", he said.

Antony expressed his confidence that defence relations between India and Russia would continue to grow and called for evolving a holistic defence partnership.

"Given the warmth of the cordiality and complete understanding between the leadership of both our countries, I have no doubt that our defence relations are bound to grow manifold. We need to work towards developing a mutually beneficial defence relationship which is holistic in content and scope."

Speaking on the occasion, Serdyukov echoed the sentiments expressed by Antony and expressed satisfaction at the number of issues covered at the IRIGC-MTC meet..

Serdyukov has since returned to Moscow.