India-Russia Annual Summit: Strengthening a "Special and Privileged" Partnership in a Multipolar World

New Delhi |Oct 30, 2025 | BeyondborBersbyJwala

Marking the 25th anniversary of their strategic partnership, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted Russian President Vladimir Putin for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit in New Delhi. The two leaders issued a comprehensive 70-point joint statement, reaffirming their "time-tested" and "resilient" relationship, anchored in mutual trust and shared strategic interests, and charting an ambitious course for future cooperation across all sectors.

A Partnership for Global Stability

The Summit highlighted the special nature of India-Russia ties, characterized as an "anchor of global peace and stability" in a complex geopolitical landscape. Both leaders emphasized their shared commitment to a multipolar world order based on equal and indivisible security. They reaffirmed the multi-faceted nature of their relations, spanning political, military, economic, and cultural spheres, and agreed to unlock the full potential of this strategic partnership as a shared foreign policy priority.

Expanding Diplomatic and Economic Footprint

A significant development was the agreement to open two new Indian Consulates in Yekaterinburg and Kazan, aimed at boosting inter-regional cooperation and people-to-people ties. The leaders noted with satisfaction the intensification of high-level contacts, including meetings at the BRICS and SCO summits, and the successful holding of key intergovernmental commissions on trade, economic, scientific, technological, and military cooperation.

Economic engagement featured prominently, with a shared ambition to expand bilateral trade to USD 100 billion by 2030 in a balanced and sustainable manner. The adoption of the "Programme 2030" for strategic economic cooperation, progress on a Free Trade Agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union, and efforts to finalize an investment protection agreement were key highlights. Both sides emphasized addressing trade barriers, promoting connectivity, and ensuring smooth payment mechanisms, including the use of national currencies and the interoperability of financial systems.

Agreements on skilled worker mobility and the potential establishment of joint ventures for long-term fertilizer supply were welcomed. The leaders also underlined the importance of cooperation in mineral resources and critical raw materials for national security and supply chain reliability.

Energy, Connectivity, and the Far East

The energy partnership, a significant pillar, was commended for its wide-ranging scope, including oil and gas, nuclear projects, and new technologies like underground coal gasification. Both sides agreed to resolve investment-related issues expeditiously.

Transport connectivity received a boost with agreements to deepen cooperation on the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), the Chennai-Vladivostok Eastern Maritime Corridor, and the Northern Sea Route. An MoU on training specialists for polar waters and cooperation between national railways were also welcomed.

The leaders confirmed their readiness to intensify trade and investment in the Russian Far East and Arctic zone, guided by a dedicated cooperation program for 2024-2029. India expressed its readiness to play an active role as an Observer in the Arctic Council.

Strategic Sectors: Nuclear, Space, and Defence

In civil nuclear cooperation, both sides agreed to broaden collaboration, including the fuel cycle, life cycle support for the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP), and new areas like peaceful non-power applications. Progress on KKNPP was welcomed, with agreements to adhere to timelines and accelerate discussions on a second NPP site and the VVER technology, including localization and joint manufacturing.

Space cooperation was highlighted, with enhanced partnerships between ISRO and Roscosmos in human spaceflight, satellite navigation, and planetary exploration, alongside progress in rocket engine development.

Military and Military-Technical Cooperation remains a pillar, reorienting towards joint research, co-development, and co-production of advanced defence technologies under the "Make in India" initiative, including joint manufacturing of spare parts for Russian-origin equipment. Regular military contacts and joint exercises like INDRA were appreciated.

Science, Technology, and Innovation

The leaders called for ramping up collaboration in critical and emerging technologies, including the exploration and processing of critical minerals. They emphasized joint research and innovation under a dedicated "Roadmap," facilitating government-private sector collaboration for start-ups, SMEs, and digital technologies, including information protection and security.

Culture, Tourism, and People-to-People Ties

Cultural interaction and people-to-people exchanges were recognized as important components of the partnership. Both sides supported expanding cooperation in the film industry, including joint production. The simplification of visa formalities, including e-visas, was welcomed to boost tourism. The role of experts, think-tanks, and educational linkages in strengthening the partnership was also appreciated.

Multilateralism and Global Governance

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to reinvigorating multilateralism with the UN at its center and called for comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council, with Russia reiterating its steadfast support for India's permanent membership.

Cooperation within the G20 was highlighted, with Russia praising India's 2023 Presidency for consolidating Global South priorities, including the African Union's permanent membership. Both sides agreed to intensify cooperation within the G20, BRICS, and SCO to promote reformed multilateralism, achieve SDGs, and address global economic challenges.

Within BRICS, they committed to strengthening the partnership across its three pillars and Russia pledged full support for India's 2026 Chairship. The SCO's role in shaping a representative multipolar world was emphasized, with agreements to modernize the organization to counter terrorism, extremism, and drug trafficking.

On global security, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to non-proliferation, with Russia supporting India's NSG membership. They emphasized the importance of strengthening the Biological Weapons Convention (BTWC) and called for negotiations on a legally binding instrument to prevent an arms race in outer space.

Climate Change and Biodiversity

Both sides agreed to continue developing joint approaches to global economic challenges, climate finance, and technology transfer. They welcomed Russia's decision to join the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) and India looked forward to Russia joining the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI). Cooperation on climate change will be intensified through a Joint Working Group, bilateral dialogue on the Paris Agreement, and within BRICS, particularly during India's 2026 Chairship.

Countering Terrorism

The leaders strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms, including recent attacks in India and Russia, and called for concerted action against UN-listed terrorist groups. They emphasized the primary responsibility of states in combating terrorism, calling for a zero-tolerance policy and the adoption of a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism. The Delhi Declaration on countering the use of new and emerging technologies for terrorist purposes was recalled, with agreements to further cooperation in this field.

Regional and International Issues

Close coordination on Afghanistan was appreciated, with emphasis on the Moscow Format and the need for comprehensive counter-terrorism and humanitarian assistance. On West Asia, both sides called for restraint, protection of civilians, and adherence to international law, expressing concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza and supporting a sustainable peace.

The Joint Statement concludes by reaffirming the resilience and complementary nature of the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership, with both leaders committing to further strengthen it as they strive for global peace and stability in a multipolar world. President Putin invited Prime Minister Modi to Russia for the 24th Annual Summit in 2026