New Delhi: India and Russia reaffirmed their “time-tested” partnership on Friday, unveiling an ambitious roadmap to deepen their Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi told President Vladimir Putin he had “full faith” the two nations would continue to stand united against emerging global challenges and build a shared future rooted in trust and strategic cooperation.
“Your Excellency, I have full faith that in the coming future, our friendship will enable us to face global challenges, and it is this belief that will further strengthen and enrich our shared future,” Modi said during their joint address in New Delhi, while also highlighting how both nations have consistently worked together against terrorism.
Putin’s visit to the capital for the 23rd India–Russia Annual Summit marked his first state visit to India in four years. The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a partnership that has endured geopolitical turbulence and shifting global alignments. This year also marks 25 years since the signing of the landmark Declaration on Strategic Partnership in 2000 — a moment that continues to shape bilateral relations.
They stressed that cooperation would continue to grow across defence, energy, trade, technology, nuclear power, space, science, culture and education, describing the relationship as an anchor of peace and stability in an increasingly uncertain world. Both sides reiterated respect for each other’s core national interests, underlining a shared vision based on equal and indivisible security.
Economic cooperation was a major focus area. New Delhi and Moscow endorsed an ambition to push bilateral trade to USD 100 billion by 2030 while reducing the current imbalance by improving market access for Indian exports. A new strategic economic cooperation programme running till 2030 was adopted to drive this effort. They also backed faster progress on a proposed Free Trade Agreement between India and the Eurasian Economic Union and welcomed efforts to strengthen payment mechanisms using national currencies, the official joint statement noted.
Energy collaboration remained a key pillar, spanning oil and gas projects, refining technologies, LNG and petrochemicals, coal gasification and nuclear energy. Both sides emphasised the need to resolve investor concerns and ensure reliable long-term supplies of critical commodities such as fertilisers and minerals. Connectivity plans also received a boost, with commitments to advance major transport routes including the International North–South Transport Corridor, the Chennai–Vladivostok maritime link and the Northern Sea Route.
Modi and Putin noted steady progress in the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant project and agreed to expedite work on identifying a second site for Russian-designed reactors. They also welcomed advances in space ties — including cooperation on human spaceflight, rocket engines and satellite navigation.
Defence collaboration — the backbone of the partnership for decades — saw renewed emphasis on joint development and co-production of advanced systems in India under the Make-in-India programme. The leaders supported expanding Indian manufacturing of spares and components for Russian-origin platforms, enabling exports to friendly nations.
The joint statement highlighted strong coordination at the United Nations, G20, BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. Russia reiterated its unwavering support for India’s bid for permanent membership of the UN Security Council. Both sides called for zero tolerance towards terrorism, condemned recent attacks in Pahalgam and Moscow, and stressed the need to dismantle financing networks and cross-border safe havens.
People-to-people linkages continued to gain momentum through expanding tourism and cultural exchanges, aided by easier visa processes. India also welcomed Russia’s decision to join global conservation initiatives such as the International Big Cat Alliance.
Putin thanked Modi for the warm hospitality and invited him to visit Russia in 2026 for the next annual summit — signalling continuity and confidence in a partnership New Delhi views as central to shaping a more balanced multipolar world.
