India and Russia have demonstrated an exceptional ability to adapt and to find new opportunities for mutual benefit, says EAM Jaishankar.
Further enhancement of the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia continues to be a shared foreign policy priority, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Thursday (March 27, 2925), even as he highlighted that the countries were navigating a complex geopolitical landscape in a rapidly evolving order.

“This relationship with deep historical roots, and a long tradition of trust and mutual respect, continues to expand and deepen, in the backdrop of a dynamic world order," he stated in an online video address to the conference 'Russia and India: Towards a New Bilateral Agenda’.

The conference is being hosted by the Russian International Affairs Council and the Indian Embassy in Moscow.

"In today's rapidly evolving order, India and Russia navigate a complex geopolitical landscape. The era of multipolarity necessitates greater cooperation between our two nations," the External Affairs Minister stated.

“Through every shift in realignment, India and Russia have demonstrated an exceptional ability to adapt and to find new opportunities for mutual benefit, and for contributing to regional and global stability and prosperity,” he pointed out.

Diplomatic engagements between India and Russia continue to be marked by frequent high-level exchanges, robust institutional mechanisms, and a commitment to each other's core interests, he added.

According to EAM Jaishankar, while areas like energy, defence and civil nuclear cooperation had traditionally dominated engagements, trade, technology, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, connectivity, and the digital economy were emerging as "new points of collaboration”.

He also made the following points during his address:

* India and Russia have set an ambitious target of increasing bilateral trade to USD 100 billion by 2030. At the same time, investments by both sides in each other's economies continues to grow. 
* Our participation in multilateral forums such as the BRICS, the SCO and the G20, and our collaboration at the United Nations and other international platforms, underscores the comprehensive nature of cooperation between India and Russia.
* India and Russia also share deep-rooted cultural and people-to-people connections. Russian scholars and intellectuals have long shown interest in India's spiritual and philosophical traditions, while Indian students, artists, and filmmakers have found inspiration in Russia's literary and artistic heritage.

“These ties are set to deepen further with skill and mobility partnerships and indeed with stronger people-to-people ties," EAM Jaishankar said.