The Army Chief Russia visit ended on Friday, with General Dhiraj Seth, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), closing a three-day trip built around talks with senior Russian military leaders and calls at key military institutions.

It was the first visit by an Indian Army Chief to Russia in eight years.

Army Chief Russia visit: talks with Russian military leadership

Gen Seth met Russian Deputy Minister of Defence General Yunus-Bek Yevkurov and Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Land Forces Colonel General Andrei Mordvichev, official sources said. Discussions focused on joint capability development, training exchanges, operational experience and expanding Army-to-Army cooperation.

The visit ran from Wednesday to Friday, the Ministry of Defence said when it announced the trip.

Ceremonial engagements in Moscow and St Petersburg

Gen Seth received a ceremonial Guard of Honour and paid homage at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Moscow. In St Petersburg, he was accorded the honour of firing the traditional cannon at the Peter and Paul Fortress.

Mikhailovskaya Military Artillery Academy

Among the institutions on the itinerary was the Mikhailovskaya Military Artillery Academy in St Petersburg. Its commander, a Major General, presented Gen Seth a painting as a memento of the visit. The inscription describes the work as a symbol of the indomitable spirit of the common Russian soldier.

Army-to-Army cooperation between India and Russia

An official statement said the visit reinforced longstanding trust between the two countries and their shared commitment to sustained institutional exchanges.

Russian-origin platforms remain in service across the Indian Army. Earlier reporting had described Russian firms deepening partnerships with Indian companies, among them Adani Defence and Aerospace, HAL and BDL.

The Army Chief Russia visit is the first by a serving chief since Gen Bipin Rawat's in October 2018, earlier reporting had said.

Gen Seth's tenure so far

Gen Seth took over as the 31st Chief of the Army Staff on 30 June 2026. In August he travelled to Nepal, where he received the honorary rank of General of the Nepali Army.