New Delhi |Nov 13, 2025 | www.externalaffairs.in
India and Russia reaffirmed their “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership” as President Vladimir Putin concluded his State Visit to India on December 4–5 at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking the 23rd Annual Summit between the two historic partners and the 25th anniversary of the Strategic Partnership first established in 2000.
Both leaders described the relationship as time-tested, mutually respectful, and globally stabilising, asserting that despite geopolitical turbulence, sanctions regimes, BRICS expansion, and Ukraine-West tensions, India–Russia ties remain resilient, balanced, and future-oriented.
Historic Milestone in a Changing Global Order
The Summit reaffirmed the mutual trust and sovereignty-respecting nature of the partnership, highlighting strategic convergence across nuclear, defence, connectivity, energy resilience, space, and climate diplomacy.
Both leaders endorsed the principle of equal and indivisible security, stating that the bilateral relationship remains an anchor of global peace in the shifting multipolar architecture.
This reaffirmation comes amid Western recalibration in Eurasia, China-Russia entrenchment, and New Delhi’s multipolar strategic autonomy.
High-Level Engagements and Institutional Depth
Both sides noted sustained inter-governmental momentum since the last summit, including:
- BRICS and SCO leader-level meetings
- The 26th IRIGC-TEC and 22nd IRIGC-M&MTC
- Parliamentary, ministerial and NSA-level visits and security consultations
- Counter-terror working groups, UN consultations, and SCO coordination
India and Russia emphasised that sustained high-level contact remains essential to prevent third-party geopolitical disruptions from influencing bilateral priorities.
Trade, Economy, and the Push Toward a Non-Dollar System
The leaders endorsed Programme 2030 for Strategic Economic Cooperation and reiterated the target of USD 100 billion bilateral trade by 2030.
Payment Sovereignty Architecture
Both sides committed to:
- Local currency settlements (INR–RUB)
- Interoperability of national payment systems
- Coordination on digital currency platforms
They agreed that bypassing third-country financial controls is vital for strategic autonomy.
Trade Mechanisms
India and Russia stressed:
- removal of tariff/non-tariff barriers
- logistics de-bottlenecking
- insurance & reinsurance solutions
- smooth fertilizer supply chains
- skilled worker mobility agreements
Russia welcomed India’s high-level delegations at both SPIEF 2025 and Eastern Economic Forum 2025.
Energy: The Core Pillar Remains Intact
The sides reviewed cooperation across:
- oil & gas supply security
- refining technologies & petrochemicals
- LNG & LPG terminals
- underground coal gasification
- nuclear expansion trajectory
Both agreed to fast-track investment clearances and dispute settlement mechanisms in the energy sector.
Transport & Strategic Connectivity Corridors
The two leaders renewed commitment to:
- INSTC (International North-South Transport Corridor)
- Chennai–Vladivostok Maritime Route
- Northern Sea Route (Arctic access)
A new MoU was signed on Polar navigation specialist training, anchoring India’s planned Arctic commercial presence.
Russian Far East: India’s Eurasian Expansion Node
The Far East and Arctic Cooperation Framework (2024-2029) will enable partnership in:
- manpower deployment
- agriculture
- energy & mining
- maritime logistics
- pharmaceuticals
- diamonds
Russia welcomed India’s sustained presence at the 6th International Arctic Forum (Murmansk), and India reaffirmed its intent to deepen its role as Observer in the Arctic Council.
Civil Nuclear: From Kudankulam to 100 GW by 2047
Both sides agreed to:
- lifecycle support for KKNPP
- finalisation of nuclear fuel supply timelines
- a second nuclear site in India
- accelerate negotiations on VVER reactors
- joint manufacturing of nuclear components
- localization of reactor parts for exports to third countries
- This aligns with India’s 2047 target of 100 GW nuclear capacity.
Space Cooperation: Human Flight and Engine Technology
Both leaders hailed deepened ISRO–Roscosmos ties in:
- human spaceflight collaboration
- planetary missions
- satellite navigation interoperability
- rocket engine co-production
Defence & Military Industrial Transition
The traditional buyer-seller framework is shifting to co-development and co-production, reflecting India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat doctrine.
Key outcomes include:
- joint R&D of next-gen systems
- Make-in-India manufacturing of Russian spares
- localisation for export to friendly third markets
- continuity of INDRA military exercises
- expansion of delegation and staff-college exchanges
Science, Tech, Critical Minerals & Digital Security
Both sides committed to:
- critical mineral supply chain cooperation
- SME & startup co-innovation frameworks
- cybersecurity & critical infrastructure protection
- joint exhibitions, student exchanges, research networks
Soft Diplomacy, Film Partnerships & Tourism Surge
The two nations will host Cultural Exchange Festivals and expand:
- cinema co-productions
- academic mobility
- visa liberalisation & e-Visa expansion
- university partnerships
Multilateral Convergence: UN, G20, BRICS, SCO
India and Russia jointly asserted:
- reinforcement of multilateral UN-centric world order
- UNSC reform with Russia’s reaffirmed support for India’s permanent seat
- G20 stability and Global South leadership continuity
- strengthening expanded BRICS architecture
- SCO modernization—counter-terror, cyber security, narcotics, UAV misuse
Climate Diplomacy: Article 6 Mechanisms, BRICS Lab
The two sides advanced Article 6 operationalisation, carbon finance, and:
- BRICS Climate Research Platform
- BRICS Laboratory for Trade, Climate, Sustainable Development
Counter-Terrorism: Zero Tolerance and No Double Standards
The leaders condemned terror attacks in Pahalgam (2025) and Crocus City Hall (2024) and demanded:
- zero tolerance
- elimination of safe havens
- counter-radicalisation in online spaces
- enforcement of UNSC mandates and FATF provisions
They endorsed the Delhi CTC Declaration on countering UAV & fintech-based terror financing.
Regional Consultations
Afghanistan - Strong backing for anti-ISIS/ISKP action and humanitarian relief.
West Asia - Call for restraint, civilian protection, lawful engagement, and Iran nuclear stabilisation talks.
Gaza - Concern over humanitarian crisis and insistence on ceasefire commitments.
Big Cat Alliance, Solar Alliance, Biodiversity Protection
Russia will join the International Big Cat Alliance, with India expecting accession to the ISA and CDRI frameworks.
Summit Close
President Putin thanked Prime Minister Modi for India's hospitality and invited him to Russia in 2026 for the 24th Annual Summit, closing a summit defined by continuity, diversification, and 21st-century realignment of Eurasian and Indo-Pacific balancing strategies.
Strategic Takeaway
Despite Western sanctions pressure, Ukraine war realignments, and China’s assertive posture, the summit confirms:
- India retains sovereign strategic autonomy
- Russia sees India as its Global South bridge to multipolarity
- Both refuse exclusivist blocs and align instead on issue-based multivector partnerships
This is not a transactional relationship but a multigenerational geopolitical compact.
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