As the world remains mired in wars, sanctions, and Trump tariffs, India and Russia played cool and moved substantially forward on constructive engagement in multiple disciplines. Bonhomie and mutual respect was displayed when Prime Minister Modi received President Putin at the base of the aircraft ladder and then drove him in his “made-in-India” Toyota Fortuner while Putin’s high security, specially flown-in, “Aurus Senat limousine” remained standing by. Putin’s nearly 150-strong delegation had a 30-hour jam-packed schedule on 4–5 December. On those two winter days, New Delhi was splashed with portraits of Putin and the India-Russia flags. Geopolitics, multipolarity, trade, defence deals, energy supply, nuclear, space, people-to-people contact, and much more was on the menu.
The time-tested partnership anchored in trust and mutual respect was visible at all levels of engagement during the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit. The Leaders reaffirmed their support for further strengthening of the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Declaration on Strategic Partnership between India and Russia, established during the first State Visit of President Putin to India in October 2000. A lot must have been spoken at the private dinner hosted by PM Modi on 04th evening. As Vladimir Putin’s highly anticipated India visit comes to a close, let us look at the outcomes.
Key Political Takeaways
The time-tested special nature of the relationship, based on mutual trust and respect for each other’s interests, was emphasised. The strong relationship was important for global peace and stability. All areas of cooperation spanning political and strategic, military and security, trade and investment, energy, science and technology, nuclear, space, cultural, education, and humanitarian were discussed with fresh boost and priority.
The 26th Session of the India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission (IRIGC) on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC) co-chaired by the External Affairs Minister of India and the First Deputy Prime Minister of Russia was held. Also, the 22nd Session of the IRIGC on Military & Military-Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-M&MTC) co-chaired by the Defence Ministers of the two countries took place.
Trade and Economic Cooperation
Ambition to expand bilateral trade in a balanced and sustainable manner, including by increasing India’s exports to Russia, strengthening industrial cooperation, forging new technological and investment partnerships, especially in advanced high-technology areas, and finding new avenues and forms of cooperation has been discussed and flagged. The Programme for the Development of Strategic Areas of India – Russia Economic Cooperation till 2030 was endorsed.
It was decided to intensify the joint work on a Free Trade Agreement on goods between India and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) covering sectors of mutual interest. Need to accelerate finalising a mutually beneficial agreement on the promotion and protection of investments. The Sides underlined the importance of an open, inclusive, transparent, and non-discriminatory multilateral trade system with the World Trade Organization (WTO) at its core, and the need to address tariff and non-tariff trade barriers, remove bottlenecks in logistics, promote connectivity, ensure smooth payment mechanisms, find mutually acceptable solutions for issues of insurance and reinsurance, and ensure regular interaction between the businesses of the two countries, among the key elements for timely achievement of the revised bilateral trade target of $100 billion by 2030.
The two Sides noted the contribution of the India-Russia Business Dialogue for promotion of bilateral trade, economic, and investment cooperation. Importance of mutually beneficial bilateral trade in mineral resources, including energy sources, precious stones and metals, as well as critical raw materials for the reliability of the international supply chains was flagged.
It was agreed to continue jointly developing systems of bilateral settlements through use of the national currencies in order to ensure the uninterrupted maintenance of bilateral trade. The signing of agreements related to mobility of skilled workers was a landmark move.
Energy – A Core Partnership Area
The energy sector remained a significant pillar of the partnership. There remains great potential for cooperation between Indian and Russian companies in fields such as oil and oil products, oil refining and petrochemical technologies, oilfield services and upstream technologies, and related infrastructure. LNG and LPG-related infrastructure, underground coal gasification (UCG) technology, and nuclear projects were discussed and importance underscored.
Civil Nuclear Cooperation
Major issues on nuclear energy included life cycle and nuclear fuel support for operating Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP). It included the construction of the remaining NPP units, and Russia agreed on adhering to the timeline for supplies of equipment and fuel. Russia could be a significant contributor to India’s plans to increase India’s nuclear energy capacity to 100 GW by 2047. Interestingly, India‘s current nuclear power capacity is 8,180 MW from 24 operational reactors.
It was decided to accelerate technical and commercial discussions on the VVER (Vodo-Vodyanoi Energetichesky Reaktor, or Water-Water Energetic Reactor) for joint development of NPPs. Russian nuclear company Rosatom State Corporation separately made a strong pitch for deploying its small modular reactors (SMR) for targeted applications in India, alongside efforts to position its large new-generation atomic power reactor-based projects as the cornerstone of the bilateral cooperation between the two countries in the field of nuclear energy.
Transport and Connectivity
Building stable and efficient transport corridors, with the focus on expanding logistics links for improving connectivity and enhancing infrastructure capacity to support the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), the Chennai–Vladivostok (Eastern Maritime) Corridor, and the Northern Sea Route. The signing of the MoU on the Training of Specialists for Ships Operating in Polar Waters was a welcome move. There was a scope for greater cooperation between the railways of the two countries.
India was open to investment in the Russian Far East and the Arctic zone. The necessary framework for cooperation, especially in the sectors of agriculture, energy, mining, manpower, diamonds, pharmaceuticals, and maritime transport, has been put in place for next five years.
Cooperation in Space
Both Sides welcomed the enhanced partnership between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Russian State Space Corporation “Roscosmos” including in the human spaceflight programs, satellite navigation, and planetary exploration. The progress in mutually beneficial rocket engine development, production, and use was appreciated. The University of Delhi (DU) signed a Statement of Cooperation with Russia’s National Research University Higher School of Economics (HSE University) to jointly set up a Space Mirror Lab.
Military and Military Technical Cooperation
Military and Military-Technical Cooperation remains a major pillar of the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia, which is steered by the IRIGC-M&MTC. During the delegation talks at Manekshaw Centre between Defence Ministers, India’s quest for self-reliance, the partnership reorienting to joint research and development, co-development and co-production of advanced defence technology and systems was discussed.
Both Sides reaffirmed their commitment to maintain the momentum of joint military cooperation activities and expand military delegation exchanges. Both Sides agreed to encourage joint manufacturing in India of spare parts, components, aggregates, and other products for maintenance of Russian-origin arms and defence equipment under Make in India programme through transfer of technology and setting up of joint ventures for meeting the needs of the Indian Armed Forces as well as subsequent export to mutually friendly third countries.
While the formal press release did not make mention, it is well understood that an offer of Make in India Su-57 would have been made. It will now have to be decided at service HQ and MoD level how to take this “mother of all offers” forward. Issue of pending S-400 deliveries and additional systems was clearly discussed. India would have pitched for the formidable S-500 system. India needs the R-37M long-range air-to-air missiles for its Su-30 MKI. There is a need to accelerate development and production of the hypersonic BrahMos II missile. Indo-Russia Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL) needs to accelerate the production of AK-203 rifles.
Russia wants to be a very significant part of the Su-30 MKI upgrade. Russia wants India to revisit the joint production of Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA). As India’s Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) struggles, Russia would prefer India to go back to the Ka-226T option for which a MoU already exists. Russia has been pushing for the joint production of Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SJ-100) airliner for which a MoU has already been signed between India’s HAL and Russia‘s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC). Russia would have pushed to partner in India‘s AIP submarine program and offer to jointly design and develop conventional submarines with advanced technology access, as part of P-75I project.
“Chakra III” third nuclear-powered attack submarine that India is leasing from Russia timelines have currently slipped to 2028. Ways to shorten timelines would have been discussed.
It could mean the beginning of a new era of co-development rather than a traditional buyer-seller arrangement. The importance of the Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Agreement (RELOS) would have been flagged and discussed for more aggressive engagement.
Counter Terrorism
There was commitment to strengthening bilateral and multilateral cooperation in the field of combating such common challenges and threats such as terrorism, extremism, transnational organized crime, money laundering, terrorist financing and illicit drug trafficking, and need to prevent and counter terrorism including cross-border movement of terrorists and terrorist financing networks and safe havens. Also, the need to balanced implementation of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and to counter the use of new and emerging technologies for terrorism. PM Modi asserted that the menace of terrorism was a direct attack on the values of humanity.
Cooperation in Science & Technology
Both Sides want to ramp up government-to-government, academia and private sector collaboration to promote application of critical and emerging technologies. There is interest in deepening cooperation in exploration, processing and recycling technologies of critical minerals and rare earths. Strengthening cooperation under the “Roadmap for Science, Technology & Innovation Cooperation” would include private sector start-ups and SMEs of the two countries, including joint R&D and co-development of technologies. Digital technologies, including those related to information protection, security of critical infrastructure and law enforcement, are of common interest. Implementation of various forms of academic mobility, educational programmes, scientific and research projects was discussed.
Agricultural Cooperation
Union Minister of Agriculture, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, met Russian Agriculture Minister Oksana Lut in New Delhi to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation in the agriculture sector. The meeting focused on identifying new avenues of collaboration in modern farming practices, innovation, research exchange and sustainable agricultural growth. Steps to ensure long-term supply of fertilizers to India and the potential establishment of joint ventures in this area were discussed.
Cultural Cooperation
People-to-people exchanges are an important component of the relationship. Both countries welcomed the holding, on a parity basis, of Cultural Exchange Festivals in their countries. Both Sides supported the idea of expanding cooperation in the film industry, including development of joint film production. To promote tourism, simplification of visa formalities, including introduction of e-Visa by both countries, was welcomed. Need to increase exchange between think-tanks and institutes was underscored.
To Summarise
“With the help of our delegation, we have meticulously reviewed the whole range of relevant questions of the Russia-India multifaceted interaction. We exchanged our opinions on relevant global and regional subjects,” Mr. Putin said. “We resolved to prioritise our cooperation in areas of security, economy, trade and cultural spheres,” he added.
The two sides discussed cooperation in United Nations, G20, BRICS and SCO on key issues such as efforts towards reformed multilateralism, reform of international economic governance institutions and Multilateral Development Banks, for economic, social and environmental dimensions, stimulating economic growth, enhancing sustainability and developing resilience of international supply chains, including critical minerals, compliance with free and fair trade norms and climate change.
Both Sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening global efforts for non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Russia expressed its strong support for India’s membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group. The two Sides urged all members of the international community to work towards enhancing the level of mutual trust in order to promote global peace and security.
PM Modi further said that “Taking India-Russia economic partnership to new heights is our common priority. We agreed on India-Russia economic cooperation programme till 2030.” The leaders witnessed exchange of several documents, including MoUs on Trade and Commerce, Migration and Mobility, Maritime Cooperation, Health and Food Safety, Fertilizers, Academic Exchanges, Media Cooperation and enhancing People to People ties.
Both Sides noted the importance of the Prevention of the Placement of Weapons in Outer Space. India looked forward to Russia’s early joining of the International Solar Alliance and the Coalition of Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).
Clearly, balance of trade was the hot potato in the hand. India-Russia trade reached $68.7 billion in FY 2024-25, with Indian exports at $4.88 billion and imports at $63.84 billion. Pre-sanctions, it was $13.12 billion in 2021. Once oil imports reduce, marking up trade will need newer areas and products. India and Russia firmed up a five-year plan to bolster economic and trade ties in the face of Washington’s punitive tariff and sanctions regime, even as PM Modi conveyed to Putin that the war in Ukraine must be brought to an end through peaceful means.
India and Russia have agreed to continue working towards enhancing the settlement of bilateral trade in the national currencies of the two countries. Addressing the India-Russia Business Forum in New Delhi, President Putin said that due to initiatives by PM Modi such as the Make in India programme, India is becoming technologically sovereign. PM Modi said that Indo-Russian relations remained steadfast like a “pole star” notwithstanding geopolitical churn.
Energy, defence, nuclear, and space were the centre-line issues. Discussions were frank and fair. Points were put on the table. Issues once flagged will be carried forward at ministerial and delegation levels. With still a significantly centrally controlled Russian economy, engagement with India’s private sector will remain to evolve. President Putin‘s visit was very positive. Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov noted that Indian companies should find respective business partners in Russia as a means to boost bilateral trade and achieve a balanced trade relationship. The new Indo-Russia health accord paves the way for enhanced cooperation in research and medical education.
Lastly, and very importantly, New Delhi has given a signal that it has significant friends on both sides of the global divide. “India Is Not Neutral” is what PM Modi had said on the Russia-Ukraine War in front of Putin. India remains the leader of the Global South who is being wooed by all the countries, small and large. India will do what is good for its people, and of its strategic interest. Similarly, Moscow has given a signal that while Russia may have been pushed to become much closer to China, it also has other major time-tested friends like India who will be in support during testing times. The Russian President also emphasised the depth and longevity of India-Russia ties, noting that the partnership is built on substance rather than rhetoric. “We plan to move forward in a range of areas, which underscores the level of trust in our relationship,” he added. “Neither me nor PM Modi, despite certain external pressure we face, have ever approached our collaboration to work against someone,” the Russian President said in response to a question on Washington’s aggressive approach. Mutual respect for each other’s core national interests and strategic convergence were visible across the spectrum. “Presented a copy of the Gita in Russian to President Putin. The teachings of the Gita give inspiration to millions across the world,” PM Modi tweeted.
Note: The article was originally written by the Author for The News18 on, December 6th, 2025, it has since been updated.
Header Picture Credit: Reuters
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