Russia has outlined plans to expand cooperation with India across energy, defence, trade and technology ahead of President Vladimir Putin’s upcoming state visit. Dmitry Peskov, Press Secretary to the Russian President, detailed Moscow’s priorities during a virtual media interaction organised by Sputnik in New Delhi.
Peskov said the bilateral relationship went beyond standard diplomatic frameworks. “Our bilateral ties rest on a deep historic background of mutual understanding, partnership, and a mutual vision of global affairs based on the rule of law and taking into account each other’s interests,” he said.
On energy, he described Russia as a key supplier for India. “This trade is of great benefit for India and mutually beneficial,” he noted, pointing to cooperation in nuclear energy, including the Kudankulam project. He added that Russia was ready to explore collaboration on small modular reactors, saying the country had “real experience producing them.”
Defence cooperation, he said, remained central to the partnership. “It’s not only BrahMos missiles, it is exchange of high technologies, know-how,” Peskov said. He reiterated Russia’s view of the Su-57 as “the best plane in the world” and confirmed that S-400 systems remained part of ongoing engagement. Russian-origin platforms, he said, account for 36% of India’s military inventory.
On trade, Peskov said bilateral volume had reached $63 billion and expressed hope that it could touch $100 billion by 2030. Nearly all transactions, he added, were now conducted in local currencies, which he said protected the relationship from external pressures. He acknowledged India’s concerns about trade imbalances and said a forum of importers would be held before the visit to explore ways to increase Russian imports from India.
Commenting on Ukraine, Peskov said Moscow appreciated India’s position. “We appreciate India’s readiness to seek a peaceful solution,” he said. He argued that Europe could not understand Russia’s position without dialogue.
He also referred to labour mobility discussions as “an issue of great importance” and said Russia and India needed close coordination on Afghanistan. On China, he described Beijing as a “privileged strategic partner” and said Moscow was prepared to advance trilateral understanding “as far as India is ready.”
Peskov concluded that the Russia–India relationship had “a very bright future”, describing it as historically grounded and resilient.
