As Russia’s President Vladimir Putin wound up his two day visit to India with an address to the media, he had a message for the world:
“Russia is a reliable supplier of oil, gas, coal, and everything required for the development of India’s energy sector. We are ready to continue uninterrupted shipments of fuel for the fast-growing Indian economy.”
His host Narendra Modi reciprocated in full measure:
“For the past two and a half decades, President Putin has nurtured this relationship with vision and commitment. Our friendship has remained steadfast like a pole star through decades of global upheaval.”
Putin underlined ongoing collaboration on civilian nuclear energy, noting progress on a major Indian nuclear plant where three reactors are already connected to the grid.
He also pointed to efforts to expand the use of national currencies in bilateral trade, now covering 96% of transactions, and projected that bilateral trade could reach $100 billion in the coming years.
The Russian President also highlighted joint work on new international transport routes, including the North–South corridor linking Russia and India via Iran.
One of the standout industrial agreements was a deal between Indian companies and Russia’s URALCHEM to establish a urea production plant in Russia. The facility is intended to ensure predictable, long-term fertiliser supplies for India, an important step in stabilising agricultural inputs and reducing dependence on volatile global markets.
These agreements form part of the newly announced Economic Cooperation Programme till 2030, which both sides described as a roadmap to diversify and balance bilateral trade. Modi noted that work was progressing on an early conclusion of a Free Trade Agreement between India and the Eurasian Economic Union.
The two leaders oversaw the signing of multiple agreements aimed at strengthening long-term cooperation. These included new frameworks in migration and mobility, enhanced collaboration in medical sciences, an MoU on maritime and port cooperation, and expanded partnerships in food safety.
Modi reiterated India’s consistent call for a diplomatic resolution to the conflict in Ukraine.
“India has advocated for peace from the very beginning. We welcome all efforts for a peaceful and lasting resolution and will continue to contribute to that effort,” he said.
He also stressed that India and Russia “stand shoulder to shoulder” against terrorism, calling recent attacks in both nations a reminder of the need for unified global action.
Putin, in turn, thanked India for what he described as constructive mediation and noted that the discussions had been “informative and useful.”
