The diplomatic and strategic book of India witnessed a historic moment on December 5, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin co-chaired 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit in New Delhi. The summit reflected the strength of the time-tested trust and partnership and sent a strong strategic message underlying the core agenda of the long-standing relations. The series of MoUs were sealed in the realm of economic and trade cooperation, defence ties, tourism, counter-terrorism, critical minerals, education, civil nuclear cooperation, people-to-people ties etc. thus heralding a new and elevated chapter in the ‘special and privileged partnership’ cherished between India and Russia.
India-Russia Annual Summit commenced in the year 2000, thus marking 25 years of comprehensive strategic partnership. Speaking about the annual summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on his X social media platform, “Today’s 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit was an opportunity to comprehensively discuss diverse aspects of India-Russia cooperation. We have agreed on an Economic Cooperation Programme till 2030 in order to diversify our trade and investment linkages. We talked about improving connectivity, enhancing relations in shipbuilding, skills, energy, critical minerals and much more”.
Today’s 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit was an opportunity to comprehensively discuss diverse aspects of India-Russia cooperation. We have agreed on an Economic Cooperation Programme till 2030 in order to diversify our trade and investment linkages. We talked about improving… pic.twitter.com/MIrPMUd6xK
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 5, 2025
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Modi also yet again asserted that India is on the side of “peace” with respect to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. PM Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to the lasting and enduring peace and urged for the peaceful resolution of the deadlock. Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed the message of India and appreciated its consistent effort to resolve the conflict. “During the negotiations with President Putin, significant attention was also devoted to global issues. I once again reaffirmed India’s commitment to peace and the pursuit of a peaceful and long-term resolution to the conflict in Ukraine”, PM Modi wrote.
В ходе переговоров с Президентом Путиным большое внимание также было уделено глобальным вопросам. Я вновь подтвердил приверженность Индии миру и поиску мирного и долгосрочного разрешения конфликта на Украине. Мы подчеркнули важность совместной борьбы с угрозой терроризма. Мы… pic.twitter.com/YHDQTakk4k
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 5, 2025
Prime Minister Modi also expressed his confidence in the shared and strong future of the India-Russia partnership. “I am confident that in the years to come, our friendship will give us the strength to meet global challenges and that this trust will further enrich our shared future”, Modi further added.
Series of MoUs sealed for a secured and shared future
The MoUs inked during the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit include,
- Programme for the development of Strategic Areas of India-Russia Cooperation till-2030 with the aim of diversifying trade and investment ties in the domain of ship building, capacity development, energy, critical minerals etc.
- Agreement on the temporary labour activity of the citizens of one state in the territory of the other state
- Cooperation on combating irregular migration
- Agreement between the Ministry of Health of both the countries for cooperation in the field of healthcare, medical education and science
- Agreement to foster food safety, consumer rights protection and ultimately human well-being
- Agreement to foster the training of specialists for ship operating in polar waters
- Agreement for cooperation in the field of chemical fertilizers
- Agreement to ensure cooperation in the domain of exchange of pre-arrival information in respect of goods and vehicles moved between India and Russia
- Agreement between department of posts and communication of both the countries
- MoU for accelerating cooperation on scientific and academic front between Defence Institute of Advanced Technology, Pune and Federal State Autonomous Educational Institution of Higher Education, Tomsk
- Agreement for educational nurturing between University of Mumbai and Lomonosov Moscow State University
- Agreement related to cooperation in the paradigm of information and broadcasting between Prasara Bharti, India and Joint Stock Company, Gazprom-media Holding
- Agreement for cooperation between Prasara Bharti National Media Group of Russia
- Cooperation between Prasara Bharati and the BIG ASIA media group
- Cooperation between Prasara Bharti and ANO TV-Novosti
- MoU between TV BRICS and Prasara Bharati
- Framework agreement to join the International Big Cat Alliance(IBCA)- a grouping pioneered by India to protect seven big cats including lion, tiger thus aiming at greater ecological balance
- Agreement for the exhibition of “India, Fabric of Time”
- 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
Сегодняшний 23-й индийско-российской ежегодный саммит дал нам возможность всеобъемлюще обсудить различные аспекты индийско-российского сотрудничества. Мы согласовали Программу экономического сотрудничества до 2030-го года с целью диверсификации наших торговых и инвестиционных… pic.twitter.com/3uGfciE6DK
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 5, 2025
During the Annual Summit, Prime Minister Modi hailed the India-Russia friendship as “pole star”, as the ties have remained steadfast devoid of any geopolitical uncertainties. The mutual respect and deep trust have stood the test of the time, asserted PM Modi.
Early conclusion of FTA with Eurasian Economic Forum
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed for the early conclusion of the Free Trade Agreement(FTA) with the Eurasian Economic Forum to realize the full potential of the agreement.
Uninterrupted fuel flow to the India: Putin on trade and energy relations
With respect to trade and energy relations, PM Modi asserted that energy security is the key pillar of the India-Russia partnership. Cooperation on civil nuclear energy reiterates the commitment of both the nations towards realizing the clean energy priorities. He expressed confidence in continuing the win-win cooperation. President Putin also exclaimed that Russia is working towards, to build the largest nuclear plant in India among which 3 out of the 6 reactors have already been linked to the energy grid.
With respect to the trade relation. Putin asserted that in the previous year India-Russia bilateral trade grew by a record 12 per cent. Efforts are underway to unleash an impressive level of bilateral trade in the current year as well, said President Putin. “We are ready to continue uninterrupted shipments of fuel for the growing Indian economy”, president Putin made a sharp and solid remark.
As a boost to the India-Russia Annual Summit, the Kudankulam nuclear power plant received the first batch of nuclear fuel from Rosatom, the state atomic energy cooperation of Russia, thus consolidating civil nuclear cooperation between both the countries.
However, President Putin added that the visit of the Russian delegation to India is not solely concentrated on energy ties. Instead, it is comprehensive and multi-sectoral that aims to nurture stronger bilateral relations in the long-run. Meanwhile, President Putin appreciated the independent and sovereign foreign policy espoused by India under the leadership of PM Modi for a strong and emerging economy like India.
Meanwhile, India and Russia also reiterated their commitment to advocate for the UNSC reforms to suit the needs of the changing geopolitical order and resolved for heightened cooperation in common forums such as G-20, BRICS, SCO. They emphasized their strong commitment to counter-terrorism. In the defence domain, importance was given to military technical cooperation, joint production and technology transfer.
India-Russia Annual Summit, thus, nourished a visionary, ambitious and futuristic roadmap for the sake of harnessing bilateral benefit, collective security, economic prosperity and a balanced world order.
