Have Time-Tested Partnership With Russia, Strong Defence Ties With US: India

To a question on the purchase of military equipment from Russia, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal has said the sourcing of defence requirements is determined solely by national security imperatives and strategic assessments. "We have a strong defence partnership with the US, which has been strengthening over the last several years. There is potential for this partnership to grow further under the India-US Compact for the 21st century. Our bilateral relationships with various countries stand on their own merit and should not be seen from the prism of a third country. India and Russia have a steady and time-tested partnership," Mr Jaiswal said