New Delhi, 5 December (H.S.): India and Russia on Friday unveiled a comprehensive economic roadmap extending till 2030, outlining several major initiatives to strengthen their long-standing strategic partnership.Under the new framework, an Indian pharmaceutical plant will be established in Russia, while both countries will jointly promote urea production in India. Russia will also collaborate in training Indian sailors, alongside expanding cooperation in shipping and shipbuilding sectors. Moscow has proposed to supply small nuclear reactors to India.
In addition, both sides agreed on a Mobility Partnership Pact to facilitate the movement of citizens and confirmed an e-visa facility for Russian nationals.Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin held extensive bilateral talks at Hyderabad House during the 23rd India–Russia Annual Summit, encompassing the entire spectrum of their relationship. Both reiterated their commitment to strengthening the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership and discussed regional and global issues of shared interest.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that several bilateral agreements were exchanged, covering cooperation in trade and commerce, migration, maritime collaboration, health, food security, fertilizers, education, media partnerships, and people-to-people exchanges.
Following the meeting, Modi and Putin addressed a joint press conference, where the Indian Prime Minister compared the India–Russia relationship to the steadfast Pole Star, symbolizing enduring friendship.
Modi announced that both nations had agreed to advance their economic cooperation plan till 2030 and were working toward a Free Trade Agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union.Modi further declared that India will soon introduce free 30-day tourist visas and group tourist visas for Russian citizens, underscoring efforts to enhance connectivity. He described the two nations’ partnership in critical minerals as crucial for ensuring secure and diversified global supply chains, supporting clean energy, high-tech manufacturing, and emerging future industries.
Calling energy security a “core pillar” of the India–Russia partnership, Modi highlighted that the decades-old civil nuclear collaboration between the two nations aligns with India’s clean energy priorities. The two countries will also collaborate on training Indian sailors in polar waters, which Modi said would deepen Arctic cooperation and open new job opportunities for Indian youth.
On global peace and security, the Prime Minister reiterated India’s stand on the Ukraine conflict, stating that India has consistently supported dialogue and peaceful resolution. He reaffirmed India’s readiness to contribute to all genuine efforts promoting lasting peace.
Taking a strong stance against terrorism, Modi recalled the Pahalgam terror attack, urging for unified international efforts to combat terrorism. He stressed that terrorism is “a direct assault on the values of humanity” and that global unity remains the most powerful tool against it.
During the joint statement, President Vladimir Putin announced several new areas of cooperation, including the establishment of a major pharma factory in Russia powered by Indian technology, to produce high-quality medicines. He added that both nations aim to raise bilateral trade to USD 100 billion by 2030, while Russia will continue uninterrupted supplies of oil, gas, and coal to India.Putin confirmed that three out of six reactors at the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant have been connected to the grid, making rapid progress toward becoming India’s largest nuclear power facility.
Last year, bilateral trade reached USD 64 billion, marking a 12 percent growth, with 96 percent of settlements now being conducted in local currencies, further strengthening economic resilience.
Praising the India–Russia partnership within BRICS, Putin said Russia will fully support India’s presidency next year. He also highlighted joint efforts to bolster the voice of the Global South, progress on the North–South Transport Corridor, and development of new trade routes connecting Russia and Belarus to the Indian Ocean.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
