President Vladimir Putin’s state visit to New Delhi—marking 25 years of the India-Russia Strategic Partnership—concluded with a comprehensive joint statement underlining mutual trust, respect for core national interests, and resilience amid a turbulent global environment.
Held as part of the 23rd Annual India–Russia Summit, both sides unveiled an ambitious 2030 roadmap covering trade, defence, energy, nuclear cooperation, space technology, and multilateral coordination. The leaders called the partnership a “time-tested, progressive relationship” capable of adapting to a “complex and uncertain” geopolitical order.
Economic Cooperation: $100 Billion Trade Goal & New Payment Mechanisms
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Putin reaffirmed a US$100 billion bilateral trade target by 2030, with a strong emphasis on boosting Indian exports and ensuring balanced trade.
Key decisions included:
- Adoption of Programme 2030 for strategic economic cooperation
- Push to accelerate a India–Eurasian Economic Union FTA
- Faster negotiations on a bilateral investment protection pact
- Long-term fertiliser supply assurances and new joint ventures
- Agreement to open Indian consulates in Yekaterinburg and Kazan
Both countries also agreed to continue work on rupee–ruble-style payments, explore interoperable national payment systems, financial messaging networks, and even central bank digital currencies, to reduce exposure to third-country sanctions and restrictions.
Energy & Connectivity: Arctic, LNG, and Maritime Corridors
Energy cooperation remained a “significant pillar” of the partnership.
Areas of focus:
- Oil, petroleum products, refining and petrochemicals
- LNG and LPG infrastructure
- Underground coal gasification
- Nuclear energy collaboration
The leaders renewed commitments to major connectivity projects:
- International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC)
- Chennai–Vladivostok Maritime Corridor
- Northern Sea Route (Arctic shipping)
India is set to expand its presence in the Russian Far East and Arctic, focusing on mining, energy, diamonds, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and maritime transport.
Nuclear & Space Cooperation: Kudankulam Expansion & New Site
Civil nuclear cooperation received major attention:
- Continued support for the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP)
- Commitment to timelines for fuel and equipment delivery
- India to finalize allotment of a second nuclear site for Russian-designed reactors
- Acceleration of cooperation on VVER reactors, joint R&D, and localisation of nuclear components
In space, ISRO and Roscosmos will deepen collaboration in:
- Human spaceflight
- Navigation systems
- Rocket engine development
- Planetary exploration
Defence: Shift Toward Joint Development & Make in India
India and Russia signalled a structural transformation in defence cooperation, aligning with India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat goals.
Key points:
- Focus on joint R&D, co-development and co-production of advanced systems
- Joint manufacturing of spares and components for Russian-origin equipment in India
- Production geared for both Indian forces and friendly third countries
- Continued momentum in INDRA joint exercises and military exchanges
Visa, Tourism & Cultural Ties
Both sides emphasized people-to-people engagement:
- Expansion of Cultural Exchange Festivals
- Film industry cooperation
- Academic mobility and joint university programmes
- Agreement to further liberalise visa regimes, building on existing e-visa facilities
- Growing tourism flows acknowledged by both leaders
Multilateral Alignment: UNSC Reform, BRICS, Global South
On global governance:
- Russia reaffirmed strong support for India’s UNSC permanent membership bid
- Both countries called for comprehensive reforms reflecting “contemporary realities”
- Russia backed India’s BRICS Presidency in 2026
- Both highlighted cooperation in the G20 and SCO
- Emphasis on strengthening the voice of the Global South
They also reiterated commitments to non-proliferation, including backing India’s entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).
Counter-Terrorism & Regional Security
The joint statement strongly condemned recent terror attacks in:
- Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir (April 2025)
- Crocus City Hall, Moscow (March 2024)
Both sides demanded zero tolerance for terrorism, adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT), and action against all UN-listed groups.
Regional highlights:
- Coordinated approach to Afghanistan
- Joint call for restraint and protection of civilians in Gaza and West Asia
Climate & Environment: Green Technologies, Big Cat Alliance
India and Russia pledged deeper collaboration on:
- Low-carbon development
- Climate finance
- Article 6 carbon market mechanisms
- BRICS climate research initiatives
India welcomed Russia’s decision to join the International Big Cat Alliance and encouraged participation in the International Solar Alliance and Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.
A Partnership for a Multipolar Asia
The statement concluded by describing the India–Russia partnership as an “anchor of stability” in a multipolar Asia. President Putin thanked Prime Minister Modi for the warm hospitality and invited him to Russia in 2026 for the next annual summit.