India Secures Arctic Access as Modi–Putin Summit Unveils Pact

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At the 23rd India–Russia Summit in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlights breakthrough cooperation on the Northern Sea Route, Arctic training for Indian seafarers, and expanded connectivity corridors including INSTC and Chennai–Vladivostok.

By TRH Foreign Affairs Desk

New Delhi, December 5, 2025 — India and Russia on Friday unveiled a sweeping slate of strategic agreements during President Vladimir Putin’s state visit to New Delhi, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi placing Arctic access, polar waters training and new connectivity corridors at the core of the upgraded partnership.

Addressing the joint press statement at Hyderabad House, Modi said the 23rd annual summit comes at a time when the bilateral relationship is “passing through several historic milestones,” including 25 years of the Strategic Partnership framework and 15 years of the “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.”

Arctic and Polar Waters: A New Pillar of India–Russia Ties

In one of the day’s most consequential announcements, Modi confirmed that India and Russia will now cooperate on training Indian seafarers for operations in polar waters, a move that effectively expands India’s long-term access to the Arctic Circle’s emerging energy and shipping routes.

Modi said the initiative would “give new strength to our cooperation in the Arctic” while creating new employment opportunities for India’s youth. The agreement complements India’s interest in the Northern Sea Route (NSR), which both sides plan to push forward alongside the International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and the Chennai–Vladivostok maritime corridor.

Connectivity, Trade and Fertilisers

Modi announced that India and Russia have finalised a 2030 Economic Cooperation Programme, aimed at making bilateral trade more diversified, balanced and sustainable. Both sides also reaffirmed efforts to conclude the Free Trade Agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union.

Agriculture and fertiliser cooperation received a fresh push, with Modi highlighting joint efforts on domestic urea production — a sector critical to India’s food security.

Mobility, Visas and People-to-People Links

In a major boost to tourism, India will soon offer gratis 30-day e-Tourist visas and group tourist visas for Russian citizens. Modi also emphasised new agreements on labour mobility, vocational education and student exchanges.

Security, Global Issues and Terrorism

On Ukraine, Modi reiterated India’s consistent support for a peaceful, lasting solution and welcomed all efforts towards de-escalation. He also underscored long-standing India–Russia cooperation against terrorism, referencing recent attacks in Pahalgam and Moscow’s Crocus City Hall.

A Steady Partnership Amid Global Flux

Calling Russia a “steadfast friend,” Modi said India–Russia ties have remained “a polar star” through decades of global turbulence. The summit’s outcomes — spanning Arctic cooperation, connectivity, trade, labour mobility and cultural ties — position the partnership to meet “global challenges with confidence,” he added.