Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth Begins Three-Day Visit to Russia

Chief of the Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth is on an official visit to Russia from 16 to 18 September 2026, with the trip aimed at reinforcing the longstanding defence partnership and military-to-military ties between the two countries.

In Moscow, the Army Chief is scheduled to receive a ceremonial Guard of Honour and pay tribute to fallen soldiers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. He will hold discussions with Colonel General Andrei Nikolayevich Mordvichev, Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Land Forces, covering subjects of mutual interest such as professional military cooperation and training.

The itinerary also includes a visit to the National Defence Control Centre in Moscow, where General Seth will interact with senior officials of the Russian Ministry of Defence, among them Mr Vasily Sergeyevich Osmakov, Deputy Minister of Defence handling defence industry and procurement. These engagements are intended to allow an exchange of perspectives on contemporary military developments and on ways to expand defence cooperation.

As part of the same visit, the Army Chief will travel to Saint Petersburg to visit the Mikhailovskaya Military Artillery Academy and meet its leadership and faculty.

The visit underscores the priority both countries accord to sustained military diplomacy and Army-to-Army engagement. The interactions are expected to deepen military cooperation and strengthen the enduring defence relationship between India and Russia.