India–Russia Partnership Enters New Phase as Leaders Push for Trade, Connectivity and Defence Expansion Ahead of Putin’s Visit

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A Stable 78-Year Partnership Poised for New Growth

India and Russia are preparing to open a crucial new chapter in their long-standing partnership as Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives in New Delhi for a two-day official visit. According to an official government statement released Thursday, the bilateral relationship has remained one of India’s most durable and stable foreign policy pillars for 78 years, built on a shared commitment to a multipolar world and reinforced through cooperation in defence, nuclear energy and space.

The government noted that while traditional sectors such as defence and energy continue to anchor the partnership, both sides are now pushing an ambitious agenda to broaden engagement into trade, connectivity, maritime development, technology and inter-regional cooperation. Putin’s visit is expected to underscore this shift, with a strong focus on accelerating bilateral trade and strengthening strategic connectivity projects that link the two economies across land and sea.

Bilateral Trade Reaches Record Levels, New Targets Set for 2030

Over the last two years, India–Russia bilateral trade has seen one of its fastest expansions in decades. Trade volume reached a record $68.7 billion in FY 2024–25, driven largely by India’s increased imports of Russian crude oil, petroleum products, sunflower oil, fertilisers and coking coal.

Exports from India totalled $4.9 billion, consisting mainly of pharmaceuticals, chemicals, iron and steel, and marine products. Though the growth is significant, the trade balance remains heavily tilted in Russia’s favour — a key issue expected to be addressed during Putin’s meetings in New Delhi.

Both sides have already set ambitious economic targets:

• $50 billion in mutual investments by 2025
• $100 billion in annual bilateral trade by 2030

During External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s Moscow visit in August 2025, the two countries reaffirmed their commitment to these goals, emphasising the need for improved payment mechanisms, enhanced logistics and removal of tariff barriers to support long-term trade expansion.

Connectivity Projects Take Centre Stage

India and Russia are also aligning major connectivity initiatives to reshape regional trade routes. Among these:

• The International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC) — intended to reduce freight time between India and Russia by up to 40%.
• The Chennai–Vladivostok Eastern Maritime Corridor — a crucial maritime link expected to boost shipping and reduce dependence on existing trade routes.
• The Northern Sea Route — which Russia hopes will become a major Arctic shipping lane, offering India alternative access to Europe and Russia’s Far East.

According to the official statement, strengthening India’s engagement with the Russian Far East is a priority, given the region’s vast resources and strategic location. Russia’s pivot to the East pairs well with India’s economic initiatives such as Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India, creating opportunities in mining, logistics, transportation, energy, shipbuilding and maritime services.

High-Level Maritime Talks Signal Expanded Collaboration

A major development in 2025 was the high-level maritime consultation held in New Delhi on November 17, 2025, co-chaired by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Russian security official Nikolai Patrushev. Both sides reviewed cooperation in:

• Shipbuilding
• Port infrastructure development
• Maritime logistics
• Arctic operations
• Long-term connectivity through the Eastern Maritime Corridor

The consultation reaffirmed the strategic nature of maritime cooperation and stressed the need for a resilient and sustainable maritime ecosystem to support long-term economic growth.

IRIGC-TEC: The Backbone of Economic Cooperation

The India–Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific & Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC) remains the primary institutional mechanism for bilateral economic engagement. Co-chaired by Jaishankar and Russia’s First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, the commission held its 26th session in Moscow on August 20, 2025.

Key outcomes included:

• Addressing tariff and non-tariff barriers
• Improving logistics and connectivity
• Ensuring functional payment systems
• Finalising the Programme of Economic Cooperation till 2030
• Stressing early conclusion of the India–EAEU Free Trade Agreement

The session concluded with both nations signing a detailed protocol outlining future cooperation and reaffirming the shared goal of achieving the $100 billion trade target by 2030.

Bilateral Investments Continue Steady Growth

India and Russia remain deeply invested in each other’s economies, particularly in energy, infrastructure and manufacturing.
Russian investments in India span:

• Oil and gas
• Petrochemicals
• Banking
• Railways
• Steel

Meanwhile, Indian firms maintain a solid presence in Russia across:

• Oil and natural gas
• Pharmaceuticals

Bilateral services trade also remains stable, touching $1.021 billion in 2021. As both sides work toward their mutual investment target, new opportunities are emerging in fintech, IT services, green energy and pharmaceuticals.

Defence Cooperation: The Backbone of the Strategic Partnership

Defence continues to be one of the strongest pillars of India–Russia ties. The longstanding military-technical partnership has moved far beyond the traditional buyer–seller model. Today, India and Russia engage in:

• Joint research and development
• Co-production of military systems
• Technology transfer partnerships
• Advanced modernisation of existing platforms

Some of India’s most significant defence equipment originates from joint programmes with Russia, including:

• T-90 tanks
• Su-30MKI fighter aircraft, assembled in India
• BrahMos cruise missile system, which is now being considered for export to multiple nations

Russia remains a major supplier of engines, components, spares and aircraft systems that support India’s operational readiness.

A Partnership Aligned With Global Multipolarity

The official statement underscored that India and Russia share a strong commitment to a multipolar global order, resisting dependency on any single power bloc. The relationship, built across decades, has weathered geopolitical shifts and continues to evolve with changing global realities.

As several Western nations attempt to reshape international institutions, India and Russia have often aligned on issues related to:

• Global security
• Counter-terrorism
• Energy stability
• Reform of multilateral institutions

Putin’s visit is expected to build further consensus on these strategic areas.

Looking Ahead: New Models for Cooperation

Officials stated that during Putin’s visit, India and Russia will explore fresh models for cooperation, particularly in areas where economic diversification is needed. These include:

• Payments and banking
• Renewable and nuclear energy
• Digital trade
• Pharmaceuticals and healthcare
• Arctic exploration
• Supply chain resilience

India is especially focused on increasing its exports to Russia and narrowing the current trade imbalance.

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Final Thoughts from TheTrendingPeople.com

As President Putin arrives in India, the India–Russia relationship enters a defining moment. From energy and defence to connectivity and emerging technologies, the partnership is expanding far beyond its traditional boundaries. The next decade will likely see deeper cooperation in industries central to global security and economic resilience.

With major trade goals set for 2030 and new connectivity corridors taking shape, India and Russia appear committed to strengthening a strategic partnership that has endured for nearly eight decades. The outcomes of this visit may set the tone for one of the most consequential bilateral relationships shaping the evolving global multipolar order.