TL;DR India and Russia completed a two-day summit in New Delhi on December 4-5, 2025, signing 16 agreements and announcing a strategic plan to boost trade, defense cooperation, energy projects, and mobility. Both leaders reaffirmed long-term ties and set a $100 billion trade target for 2030.
What Happened
- President Vladimir Putin made a state visit to India on December 4-5, 2025 for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit.
- He arrived on December 4 and departed on December 5 evening, after meetings, ceremonies, a business forum, and a state banquet.
- External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar saw him off at the airport on December 5.
Key Outcomes
- 16 agreements were signed across defense, trade, nuclear energy, healthcare, migration, maritime cooperation, academia, media, fertilizers, and customs.
- India and Russia released a Vision/Programme for Strategic Economic Cooperation till 2030, including a $100 billion trade target.
- Leaders emphasized cooperation in defense co-production, nuclear projects (including more units at Kudankulam), energy supplies, Arctic and Far East projects, and transport corridors like INSTC and the Northern Sea Route.
- Both sides reaffirmed commitment to “national currency settlements,” with 96% of trade already in rupees and rubles.
- Cultural steps included Russia joining the International Big Cat Alliance and India granting 30-day free e-tourist visas for Russians.
Major Agreements
- Migration/Mobility: Temporary labour activity pact and cooperation against irregular migration.
- Health/Food Safety: Agreements on healthcare cooperation and food safety standards.
- Maritime/Polar: Training for polar-water ship specialists and broader ports/shipping cooperation.
- Fertilizers/Customs: Joint fertilizer MoUs and customs information-exchange protocol; India-Russia postal cooperation.
- Academia/Media: University partnerships and multiple broadcasting MoUs involving Prasar Bharati and Russian media groups.
- Cultural Announcements: “India. Fabric of Time” exhibition in Moscow.
Defense and Security
- Agreements on joint R&D, spare-parts production, and advanced systems for India’s self-reliance program.
- Discussions included Su-30MKI upgrades, BrahMos expansion, and cooperation on aircraft and air-defense projects.
- The Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Support (RELOS) pact was extended for 10 years.
Energy and Nuclear
- Russia confirmed continued discounted oil supplies.
- Talks progressed on LNG contracts, long-term energy routes, and nuclear expansion, including Kudankulam Units 7-12 and future Small Modular Reactor deployment.
Connectivity and Transport
- Renewed support for the International North-South Transport Corridor.
- Focus on Mumbai–St. Petersburg, Chennai–Vladivostok, and Northern Sea Route access.
- Russia invited India to join the Arctic Council as an observer.
Global and Regional Issues
- Both sides backed peace efforts on Ukraine and urged de-escalation in the Middle East.
- Russia reaffirmed support for India’s permanent UNSC seat.
- Joint commitment to climate action and cooperation within BRICS, SCO, and the G20.
Timeline Highlights (Dec 4-5, 2025)
- Dec 4: Arrival in New Delhi; private dinner with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- Dec 5 morning: Ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan; wreath-laying at Rajghat.
- Dec 5 afternoon: Bilateral talks at Hyderabad House; business forum at Bharat Mandapam.
- Dec 5 evening: Meeting with President Droupadi Murmu; departure for Moscow.