New Delhi witnessed a significant step in the long-standing strategic partnership between India and Russia during President Vladimir Putin’s state visit on December 5. The meetings, which included delegation-level talks and a joint business forum, culminated in the signing of 29 bilateral documents, laying out a concrete roadmap for cooperation across diverse sectors. The cornerstone of these is the Program for the Development of Strategic Directions in Economic Cooperation until 2030. This program establishes a clear trajectory to elevate bilateral trade, which currently stands at approximately $64-65 billion, to a target of $100 billion. The broader package of agreements addresses both traditional pillars and new avenues of collaboration, including:
- Energy Security:Agreements reaffirm cooperation on the ongoing Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant project and commit to accelerating consultations for a new plant with a VVER generating unit. The joint statement notes both sides’ intent to “resolve various problems faced by their investors in the energy sector” and explore collaboration on small modular and floating nuclear reactors.
- Defence & Industrial Cooperation:A key agreement facilitates the joint production of components for defence equipment under the ‘Make in India’ initiative through technology transfer and joint ventures. This aims to meet Indian defense requirements and enable subsequent exports to friendly third countries.
- Trade & Connectivity:Documents were signed concerning the temporary labor activity of citizens and the exchange of information on goods and vehicles, aiming to streamline cross-border movement. Both leaders highlighted ongoing work toward a Free Trade Agreement between India and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the simplification of customs procedures using digital technologies.
- Diversifying the Partnership:New areas for collaboration were identified, including Russia’s approval for the import of Indian dairy products, potential cooperation on electric vehicles, vaccine development, and integrating textile industry supply chains.
Statements of Strategic Alignment
The visit was underscored by mutual affirmations of the partnership’s enduring nature and shared principles. Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the relationship’s resilience, characterizing it as a good example for other international relationships. He also noted the personal dimension, reflecting on a 25-year diplomatic association with President Putin.
In his remarks, President Putin connected the partnership to a broader global vision, inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s correspondence with Leo Tolstoy. He noted Gandhi “anticipated the new, more just multipolar world order that is currently taking shape,” a world “free from diktat and hegemony, based on the principles of equality, mutual respect, and cooperation among peoples.” Putin stated that Russia and India actively uphold these principles internationally.
Forward Momentum
Concluding the visit, President Putin invited Prime Minister Modi to attend the XXIV Annual Russia-India Summit in 2026. The visit reinforced the operational framework of the partnership, with President Putin summarizing its ethos by referencing a known Indian saying during a state banquet: “Together we go, together we grow.” The signed agreements translate this sentiment into a structured plan for deepened economic and strategic engagement in the coming decade.
