India-Russia Relations at a Glance

 India-Russia Relations at a Glance

 

1. Overview of the Partnership

India and Russia share an enduring, time-tested relationship strengthened over 78 years. The 2000 “Strategic Partnership” and the 2010 elevation to a “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership” institutionalised cooperation across political, defence, economic, nuclear, space, science, culture and multilateral domains. The Intergovernmental Commission (IRIGC) operates at two levels: IRIGC-TEC (economic, scientific, cultural) and IRIGC-M&MTC (military & technical).

 

2. Key Developments in 2025

• India and Russia pushed to accelerate the USD 100 billion bilateral trade target by 2030, including progress on the India-EAEU FTA.
• INDRA-2025 naval exercises (March–April 2025) reinforced operational defence cooperation.
• Sectoral dialogues in 2025 deepened ties, including maritime consultations (Nov 2025) and Russia’s participation in India Energy Week.
• Two new Indian consulates planned in Kazan and Yekaterinburg.

 

3. Political and Diplomatic Engagement

• Annual Summits are the highest-level mechanism (23rd Summit in Dec 2025).
• Frequent high-level contacts: PM–President meetings at BRICS, SCO; NSA-level strategic dialogues; multiple ministerial meetings (EAM–Lavrov).
• India emphasised dialogue and diplomacy on Ukraine; raised concerns over Indians recruited into Russian forces.
• Regular trilateral/multilateral coordination in BRICS, SCO, G20, UN; Russia consistently supports India’s UNSC permanent seat bid.

 

4. Economic Relations

Bilateral Trade

• Record USD 68.7 billion trade in FY 2024–25.
  • Exports (USD 4.9 bn): pharma, chemicals, iron & steel, marine products.
  • Imports (USD 63.8 bn): crude oil, petroleum products, sunflower oil, fertilizers, coking coal, precious stones.

Strategic Targets

• USD 100 bn trade by 2030, USD 50 bn mutual investments by 2025.
• Progress on India–EAEU FTA; focus on resolving tariff and logistics barriers, payment mechanisms, and promoting connectivity (NSTC, Chennai–Vladivostok corridor).

 

5. Defence and Military-Technical Cooperation

Defence remains the strongest pillar of the India–Russia partnership.

Framework

• 10-year Defence Cooperation Programme (2021–2031) covering joint R&D, production, maintenance, and technology transfer.

Major Platforms and Projects

• BrahMos: Jointly developed supersonic cruise missile; key symbol of collaboration.
• Sukhoi Su-30MKI: Licensed production by HAL.
• T-90S Bhishma tanks: Assembled in India.
• S-400 Triumf system procured.
• INS Vikramaditya, submarines, engines and spares from Russia.
• AK-203 rifles manufactured under Indo-Russia Rifles Pvt. Ltd. (U.P.).

Exercises

• INDRA-2025 (Army/Navy/Air Force) in Rajasthan and Bay of Bengal.
• Participation in Zapad-2025 strategic exercises.
• Multiple meetings under IRIGC-M&MTC.

 

6. Science, Technology and Nuclear Cooperation

• Cooperation spans basic sciences, materials science, mathematics, nanotechnology, space and energy.
• Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (Tamil Nadu) is India’s only foreign-assisted nuclear power project.
• Collaboration under the Gaganyaan human spaceflight program, including astronaut training in Russia.
• The 2021 STI Roadmap focuses on innovation, technology commercialization and joint R&D.

 

7. Education and Cultural Exchange

Education

• Around 20,000 Indian students study in Russia, mostly in medicine.
• Cooperation mechanisms include:
  • Educational Exchange Programme (EEP)
  • RIN network (universities collaboration)
  • SPARC, GIAN
• Indology and Hindi/Sanskrit/Pali taught in several Russian institutions.
• Russia participates actively in India’s ITEC scholarship programme.

Culture

• Centuries-old cultural ties: Afanasy Nikitin’s travels, yoga popularity, Indian cinema influence.
• 2025 saw major cultural events:
  • Bharat Utsav festival in Moscow (850,000 visitors)
  • Indian Film Festival across five regions
  • Yoga Day celebrations in 60+ Russian regions
  • Russia hosted relics of Lord Buddha (Kalmykia, 2025)

 

8. Parliamentary Cooperation

• The Inter-Parliamentary Commission (Lok Sabha–State Duma) meets regularly; last major engagements in 2024–2025.
• Delegations exchanged views on terrorism, global politics, and bilateral cooperation.

 

9. Connectivity and Multilateral Engagement

• Major connectivity corridors shaping future cooperation:
  • International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC)
  • Chennai–Vladivostok Eastern Maritime Corridor
  • Northern Sea Route
• Russia supports India’s BRICS 2026 chairship priorities.

 

10. Conclusion

India–Russia relations remain durable, diversified and strategically important. The relationship is evolving beyond traditional defence-centric ties to include energy, nuclear, space, maritime connectivity, science, technology, higher education, and cultural diplomacy. The emerging synergy aligns Russia’s pivot to the East with India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India objectives, shaping a long-term partnership anchored in multipolarity, stability and mutual strategic trust.

 

 

 

 

 

1. In which year was the India–Russia “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership” established?
2. 1998
3. 2000
4. 2005
5. 2010

 

2. What is the bilateral trade target set by India and Russia for 2030?
3. USD 50 billion
4. USD 75 billion
5. USD 100 billion
6. USD 150 billion

 

3. IRIGC-TEC deals with cooperation in which area?
4. Only defence
5. Only nuclear energy
6. Trade, economic, scientific and cultural cooperation
7. Only foreign policy

 

4. The INDRA-2025 exercise was conducted between which two countries?
5. India–USA
6. India–Japan
7. India–France
8. India–Russia

 

5. India–Russia bilateral trade in FY 2024–25 reached approximately:
6. USD 18.7 billion
7. USD 28.7 billion
8. USD 48.7 billion
9. USD 68.7 billion

 

6. Which of the following is the major component of India’s imports from Russia?
7. Pharmaceuticals
8. Marine products
9. Crude oil and petroleum products
10. Electronic machinery

 

7. The BrahMos missile project represents what form of cooperation?
8. Pure procurement
9. Joint research and development
10. Only licensed production
11. Only training

 

8. The 2021–2031 India–Russia defence cooperation programme focuses primarily on:
9. Defence imports
10. Border management
11. Joint R&D, production and maintenance
12. Strategic communications

 

9. Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant in Tamil Nadu has been established with the cooperation of:
10. Japan
11. France
12. Russia
13. USA

 

10. Approximately how many Indian students study in Russia?
11. 5,000
12. 10,000
13. 20,000
14. 40,000

 

11. The “2+2 Dialogue” between India and Russia is held at the level of:
12. Finance and Agriculture Ministers
13. Foreign and Defence Ministers
14. Culture and Education Ministers
15. Energy and Science Ministers

 

12. The International North–South Transport Corridor aims to improve connectivity between:
13. Europe and Africa
14. India and Russia through passenger travel
15. India–Russia–Iran freight connectivity
16. Indian Ocean maritime security

 

13. Russia’s stance on India’s candidature for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council is:
14. Opposed
15. Neutral
16. Limited support
17. Consistent support

 

14. AK-203 rifles are produced in India through which collaboration?
15. HAL
16. DRDO–Mitsubishi JV
17. Indo-Russia Rifles Private Limited
18. BHEL–Rosatom JV

 

15. The 2025 “Bharat Utsav” cultural festival was a major success in which city?
16. St. Petersburg
17. Vladivostok
18. Kazan
19. Moscow