India–Russia Summit Seals Big Push on Energy and Defence Ties

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At the 23rd Annual Summit in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin unveil an ambitious roadmap to deepen the “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership” across defence, energy, space, trade and multilateral cooperation.

By TRH Foreign Affairs Desk

New Delhi, December 5, 2025 — India and Russia on Friday reaffirmed their long-standing “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership,” with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin outlining an expansive roadmap to elevate cooperation across trade, energy, defence, space and regional security. The two leaders met in New Delhi for the 23rd India–Russia Annual Summit, marking 25 years of the Strategic Partnership established in 2000.

The joint statement underscored that the relationship has remained “time-tested, resilient and anchored in mutual trust” despite global volatility. Both sides committed to unlocking the full potential of the partnership, describing it as an anchor of “global peace and stability.”

Trade emerged as a major pillar of the talks, with India and Russia backing an ambitious USD 100 billion bilateral trade target by 2030. The leaders welcomed the adoption of the “Programme 2030” for strategic economic cooperation and pushed for progress on a Free Trade Agreement between India and the Eurasian Economic Union. They also agreed to advance interoperability of national payment systems and expand settlements in local currencies.

Energy cooperation received a significant boost, with both sides supporting long-term collaboration in oil, gas, petrochemicals, LNG, underground coal gasification and nuclear power. Russia reiterated its commitment to supporting India’s civil nuclear ambitions, including timely implementation of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP) and discussions on a second site.

Defence ties—traditionally a cornerstone of bilateral relations—are now being reoriented toward joint research, co-development and co-production under India’s Make-in-India initiative. The two leaders also committed to expanding joint military exercises, technology transfers and localised manufacturing of Russian-origin defence equipment.

Connectivity and logistics saw renewed focus with pledges to strengthen the International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC), the Chennai–Vladivostok Maritime Corridor and cooperation on the Northern Sea Route. Collaboration in the Russian Far East and the Arctic was underlined as a key economic frontier.

On multilateral issues, Russia reiterated its firm support for India’s permanent membership in a reformed UN Security Council. Both sides pledged deeper coordination in BRICS, the SCO and the G20, and emphasized the importance of addressing terrorism “without double standards,” condemning attacks in both nations.

Putin invited Modi to visit Russia in 2026 for the next Annual Summit, closing a meeting that both sides hailed as a reaffirmation of a partnership defined by continuity, convergence and strategic depth.