India – Russia
Historical & Political Relations
1) Diplomatic relations since 1947; 1971 Treaty of Peace and Friendship.
2) 2000: Strategic Partnership; 2010: Special & Privileged Strategic Partnership.
3) Annual Summits, institutionalized mechanisms (IRIGC, 2+2 Dialogue since 2021).
Economic & Trade Ties
1) Bilateral trade (2024–25): over $68.7 billion; target: $100 billion by 2030.
2) India imports: crude oil (major share), coal, fertilizers, arms.
3) Exports: pharma, tea, coffee, machinery, chemicals.
4) High trade deficit for India; ruble payment and logistics hurdles persist.
Energy & Technology
1) Russia key supplier of crude oil and coal: helped diversify India's imports.
2) Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant—flagship project.
3) Cooperation in civilian nuclear energy, Arctic resources, and hydrocarbons.
Defence & Security
1) Russia: major arms supplier (S-400, tanks, submarines, fighter jets).
2) Defence co-development/production: AK-203, BrahMos missile.
3) Joint military exercises: “Indra,” “ZAPAD,” “Avia Indra” (latest: ZAPAD 2025; Indian
contingent participated).
4) CAATSA sanctions risk; diversification to US, France, Israel.
Geopolitical & Regional Cooperation
1) Close coordination in BRICS, SCO, G20, UN for multipolar world order.
2) Russia’s growing ties with China, Pakistan—strategic concerns for India.
3) Collaboration in INSTC and Arctic, but differences on QUAD & Indo-Pacific.
People-to-People & Science
1) Student exchanges, cultural programs.
2) Cooperation in IT, space (historically, e.g., Aryabhata satellite), and scientific
education.
Key Challenges
1) Trade imbalance and payment mechanism issues.
2) Declining share of Russian defence in Indian imports.
3) Ukraine crisis: India abstained on UN votes; prioritized strategic autonomy, drew
Western criticism.
Historical & Political Relations
1) Diplomatic relations since 1947; 1971 Treaty of Peace and Friendship.
2) 2000: Strategic Partnership; 2010: Special & Privileged Strategic Partnership.
3) Annual Summits, institutionalized mechanisms (IRIGC, 2+2 Dialogue since 2021).
Economic & Trade Ties
1) Bilateral trade (2024–25): over $68.7 billion; target: $100 billion by 2030.
2) India imports: crude oil (major share), coal, fertilizers, arms.
3) Exports: pharma, tea, coffee, machinery, chemicals.
4) High trade deficit for India; ruble payment and logistics hurdles persist.
Energy & Technology
1) Russia key supplier of crude oil and coal: helped diversify India's imports.
2) Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant—flagship project.
3) Cooperation in civilian nuclear energy, Arctic resources, and hydrocarbons.
Defence & Security
1) Russia: major arms supplier (S-400, tanks, submarines, fighter jets).
2) Defence co-development/production: AK-203, BrahMos missile.
3) Joint military exercises: “Indra,” “ZAPAD,” “Avia Indra” (latest: ZAPAD 2025; Indian
contingent participated).
4) CAATSA sanctions risk; diversification to US, France, Israel.
Geopolitical & Regional Cooperation
1) Close coordination in BRICS, SCO, G20, UN for multipolar world order.
2) Russia’s growing ties with China, Pakistan—strategic concerns for India.
3) Collaboration in INSTC and Arctic, but differences on QUAD & Indo-Pacific.
People-to-People & Science
1) Student exchanges, cultural programs.
2) Cooperation in IT, space (historically, e.g., Aryabhata satellite), and scientific
education.
Key Challenges
1) Trade imbalance and payment mechanism issues.
2) Declining share of Russian defence in Indian imports.
3) Ukraine crisis: India abstained on UN votes; prioritized strategic autonomy, drew
Western criticism.
