India and Russia Forge New Agreements During Putin's Visit

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a series of agreements during Putin's two-day state visit to New Delhi on December 4 and 5, 2025. The collaborative pacts cover a broad range of areas including temporary labour mobility, healthcare cooperation, and food safety, signalling a significant enhancement in bilateral relations between the two countries.

Key Agreements

Among the agreements signed are two pivotal pacts concerning migration. One pact allows for temporary labour activities for citizens residing in each other's nations, while the other aims to bolster cooperation against irregular migration.

In the health sector, a formal agreement was established between India’s Ministry of Health and Russia’s Ministry of Health, which focuses on cooperation in healthcare, medical education, and scientific research. Additionally, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and the Russian Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection have also formalised an agreement regarding food safety collaboration.

The maritime sector saw the establishment of two new memoranda of understanding (MoUs) that focus on training specialists for ships operating in polar waters and improving cooperation between India’s Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and Russia’s Maritime Board.

In the realm of agriculture, the Russian fertiliser company UralChem signed an MoU with Indian firms including Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers, National Fertilizers Limited, and Indian Potash Limited to enhance industry-level cooperation.

Academic and Media Collaborations

Academic ties between the two nations were also strengthened with new agreements between the Defence Institute of Advanced Technology in Pune and Tomsk State University in Russia. Additionally, a tripartite collaboration involving the University of Mumbai, Lomonosov Moscow State University, and the Russian Direct Investment Fund was announced.

On the media front, Indian public broadcaster Prasar Bharati formalised partnerships with several Russian media organisations, including Gazprom-Media Holding and National Media Group, through an addendum to an existing MoU.

Strategic Economic Goals

Both leaders discussed long-term strategic priorities, announcing a new Programme for the Development of Strategic Areas of Economic Cooperation aimed at achieving a bilateral trade target of USD 100 billion before 2030. Prime Minister Modi expressed confidence in reaching this target sooner than anticipated, citing the potential for increased collaboration in various sectors.

During the India-Russia Business Forum, Modi outlined areas for potential investment including logistics, marine products, pharmaceuticals, and textiles. He emphasised the importance of mutual trust as the foundation of the India-Russia partnership, stating, "The greatest strength of India-Russia relations is this trust. It is this trust that gives direction to our joint efforts."

President Putin echoed these sentiments, highlighting the necessity for a preferential trade agreement between India and the Eurasian Economic Union to facilitate trade and reduce barriers. He remarked, "We should move on to enhance our industrial cooperation together... We are ready for broad cooperation within the field of artificial intelligence."

Cultural Initiatives

Cultural partnerships were also reinforced with the announcement of the exhibition “India. Fabric of Time,” which will be showcased at the Tsaritsyno Museum-Reserve in Moscow. Furthermore, India has begun offering 30-day e-Tourist visas on a gratis basis to Russian nationals, aiming to boost tourism between the two nations.

In conclusion, President Putin's visit to India marks a significant step forward in enhancing bilateral ties, with agreements that encompass various sectors, indicating a robust and multifaceted relationship between India and Russia. The outcomes of this visit are expected to foster closer economic, cultural, and strategic cooperation in the years to come.