Why India’s missile deals in Central Asia matter to Russia and China

AI Summary

India has sold its Akash air-defence missile system to Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, expanding its defence-export presence in Central Asia. The sales could strengthen India’s regional position alongside Russia and China, while supporting its ambition to become a major arms exporter.

India has sold its Akash air-defence missile system to Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, giving it a foothold in Central Asia as it seeks to become a major global arms exporter. Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh confirmed the latest sales on Thursday last week, hinting at interest from elsewhere as he called the Akash “one of our success stories”. Developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation, the Akash is a home-grown, short-range surface-to-air missile system that can hit...