India and Russia on Tuesday committed themselves to deepening military cooperation, undeterred by the threat of US sanctions.

Although India’s decision to acquire five Almaz-Antel S-400 Triumf self-propelled surface-to-air missile systems was not specifically discussed during the bilateral deliberations between Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov and external affairs minister S. Jaishankar, both confirmed that the military cooperation would continue.

Asked if the two sides had discussed US pressure on India to not buy the S-400s, Lavrov said: “We didn’t discuss the statements from the US. Instead, we confirmed deepening military cooperation. We also discussed the prospect of additional manufacturing of Russian military equipment in India within the concept of ‘Make in India’.”

Lavrov, who has been foreign minister since 2004, added for good measure that he did not see any fluctuations or changes on the Indian side in military cooperation. Jaishankar seconded what Lavrov said.

Last December, the Donald Trump administration had imposed sanctions on Turkey for purchasing the S-400 defence system.

During his visit to India last month, two months into the Joe Biden administration, US defence secretary Lloyd Austin had said he had discussed New Delhi’s plans to purchase the Russian air defence system, pointing out that Washington had asked all its partners to stay away from Russian equipment to avoid sanctions under the CAATSA (Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act).

From Delhi, Lavrov headed for Islamabad on his second visit to Pakistan since 2012 amid growing ties between Russia and that country.