23rd India–Russia Annual Summit
08.12.2025
23rd India–Russia Annual Summit
Context
The 23rd India–Russia Annual Summit concluded with a joint statement reaffirming the Special & Privileged Strategic Partnership.
About 23rd India–Russia Annual Summit
The Annual Summit is the highest-level institutional dialogue between India and Russia, where the Prime Minister and the Russian President review bilateral ties and set strategic directions. The 2025 Summit marked 25 years of the Strategic Partnership (2000–2025).
Key Outcomes of the Joint Statement:
- Strategic Partnership Reaffirmed: Both leaders reiterated commitment to a time-tested, trust-based partnership, emphasizing mutual respect for core interests and a shared vision for a multipolar world.
- Programme 2030 Adopted: A comprehensive roadmap was adopted to deepen cooperation in trade, technology, defense, energy, space, nuclear, and connectivity until 2030.
- Trade & Payments System:
- Push for USD 100 billion bilateral trade by 2030.
- Decision to deepen trade settlement using national currencies, ensure interoperability of payment systems, and explore central bank digital currencies.
- Defence & Military-Technical Cooperation:
- Shift toward joint R&D, co-development, and co-production under 'Make in India'.
- Support for spare-part manufacturing in India for Russian-origin equipment.
- Continued momentum in exercises like INDRA-2025 and trilateral training.
- Major Energy Cooperation:
- Strengthening ties in oil, gas, LNG, petrochemicals, coal gasification, and long-term fertilizer supply.
- Agreement to fast-track pending investment issues.
- Connectivity Corridors:
- Commitment to scale up infrastructure for the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), Chennai–Vladivostok Maritime Corridor, and the Northern Sea Route (Arctic).
- Civil Nuclear & Space Cooperation:
- Progress on Kudankulam NPP units and discussions on a second nuclear site.
- Joint collaboration in nuclear fuel cycles, localization, and reactor technology.
- Enhanced cooperation between ISRO–Roscosmos, covering human spaceflight, satellite navigation, and rocket engines.
- Skilled Mobility:
- Skilled Mobility Agreement Signed: Facilitates regulated mobility of Indian skilled workers to Russia.
- UNSC Support: Russia reaffirmed support for India’s permanent UNSC seat.
- Multilateral Cooperation: Both sides strengthened cooperation in G20, SCO, BRICS, counter-terrorism, and climate change.
- Counter-Terrorism: Strong condemnation of terrorism, referencing the Pahalgam attack (India) and the Crocus City attack (Russia).
Conclusion
The 23rd India–Russia Annual Summit reinforced the depth and resilience of the bilateral partnership. With the adoption of Programme 2030 and new agreements across defence, energy, nuclear, connectivity, and skilled mobility, the summit sets a long-term trajectory for strategic cooperation. Both nations continue to align on key global issues, reaffirming the partnership’s relevance in an evolving geopolitical landscape.