India-Russia Relations
Context
- Russian President Putin stated that Western pressure on India to scale back Russia ties is detrimental to global stability.
- The remarks came amid Western unease over India’s Russian crude oil imports during the Ukraine war.
- Putin called India a “reliable strategic partner” and said India will always prioritise its own national interests.
- Russia offered India its fifth-generation stealth aircraft Su-57 for joint development and production.
Evolution of Relations
| Year | Milestone |
| 1947 | Establishment of diplomatic relations |
| 1975 | India’s first satellite Aryabhata launched on Soviet Soyuz |
| 1988 | Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant agreement |
| 1993 | Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation |
| 2010 | Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership |
| 2021 | First India-Russia 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue |
Pillars of India-Russia Relations
- Defence and Security:
- Russia accounts for 36% of India’s total defence imports during 2020-24 making it India’s top military supplier.
- Defence ties have evolved from a buyer-seller model to joint research and co-development such as BrahMos cruise missiles.
- Both countries conduct INDRA and Avia Indra military exercises regularly.
- Energy Security:
- Russia is currently India’s largest crude oil supplier providing oil at discounted prices helping curb inflation.
- ONGC has invested in oil and gas projects in the Russian Far East.
- Russia promotes nuclear energy development through the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant in Tamil Nadu.
- Trade and Economy:
- Bilateral trade reached a record high of USD 68.7 billion in FY 2024-25 with a target of USD 100 billion by 2030.
- Nearly 90% of India-Russia trade is conducted in local currencies i.e rubles and rupees.
- However, trade heavily favours Russia as Indian imports stand at USD 63.84 billion against exports of only USD 4.88 billion.
- Connectivity and Technology:
- Russia enhances India’s connectivity through INSTC, Northern Sea Route and Chennai-Vladivostok Eastern Maritime Corridor.
- Russia is assisting India’s first crewed space mission Gaganyaan through technical cooperation.
Way Forward
- Diversify trade beyond oil into IT, textiles, agriculture and pharmaceuticals to reduce structural trade imbalance.
- Build on BrahMos and AK-203 successes to collaborate on next-generation defence technologies and co-development.
- Finalise Free Trade Agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) of which Russia is a key member.
- Promote cooperation in Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), AI and cybersecurity as emerging non-traditional areas.
Conclusion: India and Russia share a time-tested partnership built on strategic autonomy and mutual respect. Adapting this relationship beyond defence and energy into technology, innovation and people-to-people links will determine its relevance in the emerging multipolar world.
