Key Highlights:
- Putin praised Modi’s leadership in strengthening India and Russia relations, calling their partnership “trustworthy” and based on decades of cooperation
- India and Russia relations achieved record bilateral trade of $68.7 billion in FY25, with energy imports dominating economic exchanges
- Defense cooperation remains central to India and Russia relations, with Russia supplying 60% of India’s military equipment and technology transfers
Strategic Foundation of India and Russia Relations
The historical foundation of India and Russia relations dates back 78 years to diplomatic recognition in April 1947, creating an enduring partnership that has weathered multiple global transformations. Putin emphasized that India and Russia relations possess “deep historic roots and a long tradition of trust and mutual respect” that continues expanding despite dynamic geopolitical shifts. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar highlighted how India and Russia relations demonstrate “exceptional ability to adapt and find new opportunities for mutual benefit” while contributing to regional stability.
Growth trajectory of India Russia relations through expanding bilateral trade
- India and Russia relations celebrated 25 years of strategic partnership declaration in October 2025
- Both nations maintain coordination through 15 institutional mechanisms overseeing India and Russia relations
- Putin’s upcoming December 2025 visit will mark continued high-level engagement in India and Russia relations
- India and Russia relations encompass cooperation across defense, energy, space technology, and cultural sectors
The Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership framework governing India Russia relations was established in 2000, creating a qualitatively new character for bilateral cooperation. Putin noted that India Russia relations have maintained exceptional consistency, stating “we have never had any problems or interstate tensions with India” throughout decades of partnership. This stability in India Russia relations provides both nations with strategic autonomy while navigating complex international environments.
Economic Dimensions of India Russia Relations
India Russia relations achieved unprecedented economic growth with bilateral trade reaching $68.7 billion in FY25, representing a dramatic expansion from just $10.1 billion in 2020. Energy cooperation dominates India Russia relations, with petroleum imports accounting for $56.8 billion of total trade, making Russia India’s largest energy supplier. Putin acknowledged the trade imbalance affecting India Russia relations and ordered government measures to increase Russian purchases of Indian agricultural products, pharmaceuticals, and engineering goods.
- Oil imports constitute 83% of India’s purchases from Russia, strengthening energy security aspects of India and Russia relations
- Indian exports to Russia grew from $3.2 billion to $4.88 billion, though still creating significant trade deficit in India and Russia relations
- Target set for India and Russia relations to achieve $100 billion bilateral trade by 2030
- Major Indian investments in Russia focus on oil, gas, diamond, and pharmaceutical sectors
Putin defended India’s economic calculations in India Russia relations, noting that abandoning Russian energy would cost India $9-10 billion annually while providing no strategic benefits. The economic foundation of India Russia relations includes significant Russian investments in India’s petrochemicals, banking, railways, and steel sectors, creating deep interdependence. India became the largest recipient of Russian seaborne crude in June 2025, accounting for 80% of shipments, demonstrating the strategic importance of energy cooperation in India Russia relations.
Defense Cooperation Strengthening India Russia Relations
Military and technical cooperation forms the cornerstone of India Russia relations, with Russia supplying over 60% of India’s defense equipment and maintaining extensive joint development programs. The Defense Cooperation Agreement for 2021-2031 provides the framework for expanding India Russia relations in military technology transfer, joint research, and co-production initiatives. Putin highlighted how India Russia relations in defense have evolved from buyer-seller arrangements to joint development of advanced military systems.
Key defense cooperation components strengthening India Russia relations
- BrahMos cruise missile program exemplifies successful joint development in India and Russia relations
- Su-30MKI aircraft production with over 230 units built in India under Make in India initiative
- S-400 Triumf missile defense system worth $5.43 billion strengthens India and Russia relations despite CAATSA threats
- INDRA joint military exercises demonstrate operational cooperation in India and Russia relations
The institutional framework governing defense aspects of India Russia relations includes the Inter-Governmental Commission on Military Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-MTC) and the 2+2 Dialogue mechanism established in 2021. India Russia relations in defense encompass ongoing projects including T-90 tank production, MiG-29 upgrades, Kamov helicopter manufacturing, and Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft development. Putin confirmed that India Russia relations in military cooperation would continue expanding despite Western pressure and sanctions.
Geopolitical Resilience of India Russia Relations
Putin’s strong defense of India Russia relations came in direct response to US tariffs imposed on Indian goods for maintaining Russian energy partnerships. The Russian leader emphasized that India Russia relations would not be compromised by external pressure, noting that “India will never allow any humiliation in front of anyone”. External Affairs Minister Jaishankar reinforced this position, stating that India Russia relations remain a “shared foreign policy priority” despite shifting global dynamics.
- US imposed 50% total tariffs on Indian goods to pressure reduction in India and Russia relations
- Putin argued that sanctions would backfire by driving up global energy prices
- India and Russia relations demonstrate both nations’ commitment to strategic autonomy
- Coordination in multilateral forums including BRICS, SCO strengthens India and Russia relations
The upcoming Putin visit to New Delhi in December 2025 will mark another milestone in India Russia relations, coinciding with the 15th anniversary of the Special Strategic Partnership declaration. Putin expressed confidence that India Russia relations would continue deepening regardless of external pressures, emphasizing Modi’s national orientation and wisdom in maintaining sovereign decision-making. Both leaders recognize that India Russia relations provide essential strategic depth for navigating complex geopolitical landscapes.
Future Trajectory of India Russia Relations
Putin confirmed that India Russia relations would expand beyond traditional defense and energy cooperation into emerging technologies, agriculture, and digital sectors. The Russian President outlined plans for enhanced cooperation in artificial intelligence, space technology, and green energy as new pillars of India Russia relations. Both nations committed to strengthening people-to-people connections and cultural exchanges as foundational elements of India Russia relations.
- Joint development funds proposed for AI and emerging technology cooperation in India and Russia relations
- Space cooperation includes GLONASS navigation system and satellite launches strengthening India and Russia relations
- Cultural and educational exchanges planned to deepen societal foundations of India and Russia relations
- Coordination on international issues through diplomatic channels reinforces India and Russia relations
The 26th India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission meeting in August 2025 established new frameworks for expanding India Russia relations across multiple sectors. Both nations recognize that India Russia relations provide essential strategic autonomy while contributing to multipolar global order development. Putin’s emphasis on Modi’s friendship and trustworthy interactions signals continued high-level commitment to strengthening India Russia relations.
Final Perspective
Putin’s comprehensive defense of India Russia relations reflects Moscow’s recognition of the partnership’s strategic value amid global realignments. The Russian President’s characterization of India Russia relations as built on trust, mutual respect, and shared interests demonstrates confidence in the relationship’s resilience despite external pressures. As both nations face increasing geopolitical complexities, India Russia relations continue providing essential strategic depth and economic benefits that serve their respective national interests.
The upcoming high-level engagements and institutional mechanisms governing India Russia relations ensure continued expansion across defense, energy, technology, and cultural sectors. Putin’s praise for Modi’s leadership and commitment to sovereignty reinforces the foundation of India Russia relations built on mutual respect for each nation’s strategic autonomy.
