Beyond Borders By Prajila | India and Russia Deepen Strategic Partnership with 16 Agreements and Key Announcements

New Delhi |Dec 06, 2025 | BeyondborBersbyJwala

The State Visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to India from December 4-5, 2025, has concluded with a significant strengthening of the special and privileged strategic partnership between the two nations. A total of 16 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements were signed across diverse sectors, accompanied by several landmark announcements aimed at boosting economic cooperation, connectivity, and people-to-people ties.

Facilitating Migration and Enhancing Security

A major highlight was the focus on migration and mobility. Two key agreements were signed: one establishing a framework for the temporary labour activity of citizens in each other's territories, promoting the movement of skilled workers from India to Russia, and another on cooperation in combating irregular migration. These agreements aim to ensure safe, legal, and mutually beneficial migration flows.

Prioritizing Health, Food Safety, and Academic Collaboration

In the health sector, an agreement between the respective health ministries will foster cooperation in healthcare, medical education, and science through information exchange, specialist visits, and joint research. Food safety was also addressed with an agreement between India's FSSAI and Russia's Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection, ensuring the quality and safety of food products through compliance with sanitary standards.

Academic collaboration received a boost with two agreements. A MoU between the Defence Institute of Advanced Technology, Pune, and the National Tomsk State University will promote student exchange, joint programs, and research. Another agreement involving the University of Mumbai, Lomonosov Moscow State University, and the Russian Direct Investment Fund focuses on education and training to advance academic-industry collaboration.

Expanding Maritime Cooperation and Fertilizer Production

Maritime cooperation saw significant advancements. An MoU between the shipping ministries focuses on training Indian seafarers for operations in polar waters, leveraging Russian expertise. Another MoU with the Russian Maritime Board entails broad cooperation in shipping, ports, joint mineral exploration, and R&D.

In a strategic move to secure fertilizer supplies, an MoU was signed between Russian and Indian companies (JSC UralChem, Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers, National Fertilizers, and Indian Potash) to create a framework for a joint venture in urea manufacturing within Russia.

Streamlining Trade and Connectivity

To facilitate trade, a protocol between customs authorities was signed for the exchange of pre-arrival information on goods and vehicles, optimizing customs control procedures. Additionally, a bilateral agreement between India's Department of Posts and Russian Post aims to strengthen cross-border postal cooperation and support growing e-commerce, particularly benefiting SMEs.

Broadening Media and Cultural Ties

Media collaboration was significantly expanded with five MoUs signed between India's Prasar Bharati and various Russian media organizations: Gazprom-media Holding, National Media Group, BIG ASIA Media Group, ANO "TV-Novosti" (an addendum to an existing MoU), and "TV BRICS". These agreements entail cooperation in broadcasting, content sharing, and information exchange.

On the cultural front, an agreement was announced for the exhibition "India. Fabric of Time" between the National Crafts Museum & Hastkala Academy in New Delhi and the Tsaritsyno Museum-Reserve in Moscow, showcasing shared heritage.

Major Announcements: Economic Roadmap and Visa Easing

Several major announcements further underscored the depth of the partnership:

  1. Economic Roadmap: The adoption of the "Programme for the Development of Strategic Areas of India - Russia Economic Cooperation till 2030," charting a long-term course for bilateral economic engagement.
  2. Conservation Commitment: Russia's decision to adopt the Framework Agreement to join the India-led International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), boosting global conservation efforts.
  3. Visa Facilitation: To promote tourism and people-to-people contacts, India announced the grant of a 30-day e-Tourist Visa on a gratis basis to Russian nationals on a reciprocal basis, as well as the grant of Group Tourist Visas on a gratis basis.

These wide-ranging agreements and announcements reflect the robust and multifaceted nature of the India-Russia strategic partnership, poised for further growth across all sectors of mutual interest.