New Delhi witnessed high-stakes diplomacy on Friday as India and Russia unveiled a five-year roadmap to deepen economic cooperation, while navigating the complexities of Western sanctions and tariffs. The meeting also saw Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed to President Vladimir Putin the need for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing Ukraine conflict.
The 23rd India-Russia annual summit drew considerable international attention, with both leaders signaling their determination to inject new energy into a relationship that dates back more than 80 years. PM Modi described the bilateral ties as remaining constant like a pole star through changing global circumstances.
President Putin's arrival in the Indian capital on Thursday evening was marked by full ceremonial honours. PM Modi broke protocol to personally greet the Russian President at the Palam airport in the capital before hosting an intimate dinner at his residence — 7, Lok Kalyan Marg — that set the stage for Friday's formal discussions.
The centerpiece of the summit was an economic cooperation programme running through 2030. Prime Minister Modi explained that this framework would help achieve more diversified, balanced and sustainable trade and investment flows between the two countries.
Visa regulations for Russian travelers are set to become more relaxed with India announcing that it will roll out complimentary 30-day e-tourist visas alongside 30-day group tourist visas for Russian nationals.
President Putin outlined ambitious targets for expanding commercial relations. The two nations are working toward raising their annual trade volume from USD 64 billion to USD 100 billion. He described Russia as a reliable supplier of oil, gas, coal and everything that is required to meet India's energy needs.
The Russian president assured that Moscow stands ready to continue uninterrupted shipments of fuel for the fast-growing Indian economy. He also revealed plans to open up greater market access for Indian goods while expressing mutual interest in developing small and modular nuclear reactors along with floating nuclear power plants.
Beyond the headline economic programme, the summit produced multiple agreements spanning several domains. The two governments signed cooperation frameworks covering health, mobility and migration, food safety, shipping and people-to-people exchanges. Here is the full list of outcomes —
MoUs and Agreements —
Migration and Mobility:
Agreement between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the Russian Federation on Temporary Labour Activity of Citizens of one State in the Territory of the other State.
Agreement between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the Russian Federation on Cooperation in Combating Irregular Migration.
Health and Food safety:
Agreement between the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of the Republic of India and the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation on the cooperation in the field of healthcare, medical education and science.
Agreement between the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of the Republic of India and the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Well-being (Russian Federation) in the field of food safety.
Maritime Cooperation and Polar waters:
Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways of the Government of the Republic of India and the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation on the Training of Specialists for Ships Operating in Polar Waters.
Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways of the Republic of India and the Maritime Board of the Russian Federation.
Fertilizers:
Memorandum of Understanding between M/s. JSC UralChem and M/s. Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers Limited and National Fertilizers Limited and Indian Potash Limited.
Customs and commerce:
Protocol between the Central Board of Indirect taxes and Customs of the Government of the Republic of India and the Federal Customs Service (Russian Federation) for cooperation in exchange of Pre-arrival information in respect of goods and vehicles moved between the Republic of India and the Russian federation.
Bilateral Agreement between Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications of the Republic of India between and JSC (Russian Post).
Academic collaboration:
Memorandum of Understanding on scientific and academic collaboration between Defence Institute of Advanced Technology, Pune and Federal State Autonomous Educational Institution of Higher Education "National Tomsk State University”, Tomsk.
Agreement regarding cooperation between University of Mumbai, Lomonosov Moscow State University and Joint-Stock Company Management Company of Russian Direct Investment Fund.
Media Collaboration:
Memorandum of Understanding for Cooperation and Collaboration on Broadcasting between Prasar Bharati, India and Joint Stock Company Gazprom-media Holding, Russian Federation.
Memorandum of Understanding for Cooperation and Collaboration on Broadcasting between Prasar Bharati, India and National Media Group, Russia.
Memorandum of Understanding for Cooperation and Collaboration on Broadcasting between Prasar Bharati, India and the BIG ASIA Media Group.
Addendum to Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation and collaboration on broadcasting between Prasar Bharati, India, and ANO "TV-Novosti”.
Memorandum of Understanding between "TV BRICS” Joint-stock company and "Prasar Bharati (PB)”.
Announcements made after the Summit —
- Programme for the Development of Strategic Areas of India - Russia Economic Cooperation till 2030.
- The Russian side has decided to adopt the Framework Agreement to join the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA).
- Agreement for the exhibition "India. Fabric of Time” between the National Crafts Museum & Hastkala Academy (New Delhi, India) and the Tsaritsyno State Historical, Architectural, Art and Landscape Museum-Reserve (Moscow, Russia).
- Grant of 30 days e-Tourist Visa on gratis basis to Russian nationals on reciprocal basis.
- Grant of Group Tourist Visa on gratis basis to Russian nationals.
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