Col Alok Mathur, SM
On 4 December, 2025, an IL 96 -300 PU of the Russian Air force landed at Palam Technical Area, New Delhi with President Vladimir Putin on board. The President was pleasantly surprised as PM Narendra Modi received him at the Tarmac beyond the protocol. Putin visited for the 23rd Annual India- Russian Summit.
Both leaders hugged each other as old friends and proceeded to the PM house in New Delhi in same car for an informal interaction on various global and bilateral issues. On 5 December, President Putin visited Raj Ghat and offered floral tributes to the father of the Indian nation, Mahatma Gandhi. Later, he visited Rashtrapati Bhavan and met President Draupadi Murmu after being accorded a ceremonial Guard of Honour.
The formal Summit took place at Hydrabad House. 16 agreements were signed in various fields including economic cooperation, energy security, health, science, education, defence, shipping and tourism. The business forum meet was held at Bharat Mandapam, where delegates of both nations signed various MOUs with a theme of balanced trade and mutual growth. After a Banquet at Rashtrapati Bhavan, the President head back to Russia.
The cordial bilateral relations with Russia are the key pillars of Indian foreign policy since 1947. We have, over the last 78 years, seen Russia as a longstanding and time tested friend that has contributed significantly in economic development and security of our nation. The adoption of planning in India since 1951, Technological and financial assistance in Hydro projects, steel plants, fertiliser plants, thermal and nuclear power projects, licensed production of military hardware like Armoured vehicles and Fighter Aircrafts are some of the fields of cooperation. The Indo Soviet Friendship Treaty of 1971 is the landmark of eternal friendship between the two great nations.
On 3 December 1971, Pakistani warplanes simultaneously raided major Airbases of India. Mrs Indira Gandhi, then PM of India immediately called a meeting of the Cabinet committee of security along with three service chiefs and decided that it was the time to go all out and dismember Pakistan. The master stroke was signing of 20 years long Indo Soviet Treaty of Peace, Friendship, and Cooperation before War, on 9 August 1971 in New Delhi with an aim to expand and consolidate relations of sincere friendship between the two nations and to respect and protect sovereignty of each other. It had XII Clauses related to economic, social, military, political cooperation with each other and with special emphasis on helping each other in case of external aggression by a third party by pre-empting intervention by China and USA.
When US Taskforce 74, composed of 10 Combat ships, spearheaded by USS Enterprise, the largest nuclear powered Aircraft carrier, crossed Malacca strait on 6 December 1971 to reach the Indian Ocean to assist Pakistan, it found Soviet Naval group with four Warships and Nuclear submarines already deployed south of Sri Lanka. USSR thrice vetoed in UN Security Council against US sponsored ceasefire resolution. This prevention of US intervention resulted in to unparalleled and massive Indian victory and birth of a new nation” Bangladesh” on 16 December 1971. Another important milestone was signing of ”Declaration of India Russia strategic partnership” in October 2000 between Russian President Vladimir Putin and then, PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee at New Delhi.
Prime Minister Indira Gandhi with Russian President Leonid Brezhnev – 1971
The Indo Russian relations have achieved new horizon in the field of political harmony, security, trade and economy, defence, science and technology and also cultural exchange. The various declarations have several institutionalised dialogue mechanisms on political and diplomatic levels to ensure regular interactions and follow up on cooperation in various fields.
Russian Head of state Dmitry Medvedev visited India in December 2012 and met PM Manmohan Singh in Annual Summit and decided to further elevate and strengthen the mutual strategic partnership to a special and privileged level. PM Narendra Modi and Russian federation President Vladimir Putin met in the 21st Indo Russian summit held in New Delhi in 2021.
India and Russia are part of various International organisations. BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation), G-20 and United Nations (UN), Both have cooperated and supported each other in these forums. During the course of Ukraine Russia conflict, India has standing by Russia in United Nations at various stages and has ensured that it is not expelled from the G-20 forum in spite of joint efforts of USA and European Union.
India exports pharmaceuticals, electronic equipment, machinery, Engines, pumps, iron and steel, clothing, Tea, coffee, tobacco, vehicles, readymade garments and food products to Russia and imports precious stones, heavy machines and Pumps, electronics, fertilisers, medical equipment, Oil and Gas, iron steel, paper, chemicals, cement, sulphur and stones among other items.
As per the Ministry of Trade and Commerce, the bilateral trade between two countries has reached an all-time record of 67.8 Billion US $ in 2025 and Russia is now risen to 5th largest trade partner from 25st in 2021.
The various bodies that promote and conduct trade are Indo-Russian Inter govt council (IRIGC), Forum of trade and Investment, Indo Russia business council, Indo Russia trade, investment, technology promotion council, and Indo Russian chamber of commerce. Both governments have jointly developed an economic strategy to increase the horizon of future bilateral trade. The boosters are free trade agreement among India, Russia and European Union Council, a bilateral trade treaty on promotion and protection of investment, new economic planning mechanism built in IRIGC, simplified one window custom procedures, new long term agreements in expansion of combined energy sector to include Oil, Gas and Nuclear power and also supply of uncut diamonds.
Russia has also promised to help India to pursue the ‘Make in India initiative’. This would include development of selected smart cities, Delhi Mumbai Industrial corridor, Aerospace sector, commercial nuclear power production plants, Joint Indo Russian production and development of military products/hardware. Russia wants joint production of helicopters and civil commercial passenger aircrafts with an eye on South-East Asia also. India is currently the largest cutting and polishing centre for Diamonds and Russia has rich source of rough diamonds. Both countries together can control the world diamond market. Russia has also agreed to produce 20 Nuclear reactors in India and share expertise on extraction of natural uranium from third source, nuclear fuel and waste disposal of nuclear ash.
The largest and most important India Russia cooperation has been in energy sector. India had invested US 1.7 Billion dollars in Oil exploration joint project called Sakhalin 1 in Bay of Bengal with good results. The Russian company, Gazprom and GAIL have joined hands. India cooperated with Russia in Ukraine Conflict. Russia awarded India Oil at discounted rate and became the second largest supplier of crude oil pushing Saudi Arabia to third position. Iraq is still the largest supplier of crude to India. India and Russia are also jointly working out feasibility studies of North South Economic corridor via Iran and Central Asian countries, a combination of Land Air Link. Kolkata- Vladivostok corridor also being explored.
Indo Russia Defence Cooperation is known to the World. 80 % of Indian Defence hardware is of Russian origin. The first supersonic IAF squadron was equipped with Russian made MIG 21 fighter jets in 1964. Hindustan Aeronautics established two assembly plants for under license production of MIG 21 fighters at Nasik, Maharashtra and Koraput, Odisha in 1967. HAL has manufactured 657 Nos of various MIG 21 variants till date. MIG 21s played an important role in Bangladesh War 1971, Kargil conflict 1999 and in intercepting Pak F 16s post Balakote Air strike. MIG 23 and MIG 27 were also inducted in 90s and now obsolete. MIG 25 foxbat, a strategic reconnaissance spy je, was also provided to IAF. Currently, Russia origin 350 Sukhoi 30 mk l and MIG 29 form the spine of IAF. IL 78, IL 76, AN 32 are the main stay of IAF transport fleet. MI 8, MI 17V5, MI 24/35, MI 26 Helicopters are also of Russian origin. Recently, a deal has been signed between two countries to procure 60 fully assembled Kamov 229 medium lift helicopters and produce 232 more under make in India initiative. India is now diversifying its IAF fleet and focus is on self-reliance.
95 percent of Indian Armoured Units of Indian Army are equipped with Russian origin T 72M or T 90S Medium tanks manufactured in India under License at HVF Avadi. We fought 1965 and 1971 War with T 54/ 55 and PT 76 Amphibian tank. Mechanised Units are equipped with BMP 1/ 2, BRDMs Infantry combat vehicles also of Soviet origin. AK 203 would be future weapon for an Infantry soldier. Many Artillery Units are equipped with 130mm Medium guns and BM21 multi barrel rockets. Most of the Anti-Tank missiles – Konkurs (AT 5), Fagots(AT 4) and Air Defence equipment like SA -6 gainful, SA-3 ,SA-8 gecko SA-13 gopher, SA -18 Igla, ZSU 23 shilka, 2K22 Tuguskhas are also of Soviet origin.
Russian Equipment is the mainstay of Indian Armed Forces
Indian Navy serving INS Vikramaditya aircraft carrier was old Marshal Gorshkov aircraft carrier now refurbished and equipped with MIG 29K jets. There are various Destroyers, Frigates, Missile Boats of Soviet origin and Akula class nuclear submarines Chakra 1 and 2 (SSBN) less ballistic missiles, were provided on lease by USSR for reconnaissance and training of Indian crews, Arihant nuclear powered Indian Submarine also had Russian technical support for trials and operation.
The latest deal of S 400 Triumph Air Defence Missile System capable of knocking down Fifth generation stealth aircrafts including US – F35 and Chinese J 31 has become an eye sore of Indo US relations. Brahmos Cruise Missile the best in the world is co-produced by India and Russia. Sukhoi 30 mk1 have been modified for mounting Brahmos. Three Indian Naval destroyers have also been fitted with the deadly cruise missiles. Brahmos has been deployed in all Triad modes. Brahmos2 and NG version has become favourite in SE Asian nations.
There have been a series of joint military biennial exercises conducted between Indian and Russian Armed Forces since 2003 named INDRA, a portmanteau of partner nations, It was initially a joint Naval exercise involving live firing, anti-Submarine operations, anti-piracy, anti-smuggling and, anti-drug operations. The format of Exercise INDRA 2017 was changed from single service exercise to a Tri-service manoeuvre including Army and Air force. The 18 days long exercise was held partly at the 249th Combined Army Range at Sergeevisky Russia and partly at Sea of Japan near Vladivostok. Russian contingent consisted of 1100 troops from 5th Army, marines, ships of Pacific fleet and fighters from the Eastern District participated. The Indian Task force included 350 commandos, 80 Naval crew, two IL 76 Transport aircraft, two Naval combat ships. The exercise strengthened mutual trust and confidence, inter-operability and honing drills and procedures between two Armies.
The venue of INDRA 2018 was Agra/Jhansi, UP India between IA and RA in Nov 2018 with main aim to combat insurgency and terrorism. The main objective was to learn from the experiences of the Indian Army who has been fighting Insurgency since 1947 in Northeast and terrorism in Kashmir. The Phase 1 was, conducted at Babina Field Firing Ranges. The focus was cordon and search, building intervention, bomb and IED neutralisation and use of Attack helicopters and Heliborne missions. 250 troops of Russian motorised battalion and Mechanised battalion from IA participated in Joint missions.
Avi-India 2018 was a joint exercise between Air Forces of the two nations. Then, Air Chief B S Dhanua said it was a great exchange of new concepts of air warfare. The 12th edition of INDRA was held in Volgograd in August 2021. The scope has been enhanced to include Counter Terrorism, Anti-hijacking, Heliborne and Amphibian joint operations. India also participated in multi nation Military Exercise Vostok 22 in September 2022 in East Russia. Defence cooperation and trust is the central pillar of entire Indo Russian relations.
There has been a tremendous cooperation in Technology sector also. There has been an integrated long term agreement on Science and Technology cooperation (ILTP) establishing ten Joint centres at Moscow and New Delhi. The various projects of semiconductor products, Poly Vaccines, Super computers, Lasers, seismology, IT software, High energy materials, and accelerators are undertaken coordinated by Department of Science and Technology of the Indian government and Russian Academy of Science and Ministry of Science and Technology/Industry.
Space and Nuclear energy are two major fields of cooperation, Atomic power commission and ISRO have close association with Russian counter parts. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Russian Federal Space Agency(RKA) have cordial relations since the last 50 years. Aryabhata, the first Indian satellite was successfully launched and established in orbit from Kapustin Yar cosmodrome, mounted on Kosmos 3M Launch vehicle on 19 April 1975. Two Indian cosmonauts were trained in Russia.
Squadron Leader Rakesh Sharma went in to space finally under USSR Inter Kosmos Soyuz mission. USSR had agreed to supply cryogenic engines for Inter planetary missions and carry heavy payloads GSLV missions but USA did not allow the deal to be materialised.
Two important agreements were signed between two space agencies in April 2004 firstly, on peaceful use of space and joint development of Russian navigational system GLONASS. There have been visits of Indian Russian space scientists to each other’s facilities / Launch stations. On February 10, 2020, Glavkosmos and ISRO jointly signed agreement for training , equipping and harnessing Indian Astronauts (Vyomnauts) going in with Indian manned Space Mission ‘ Gaganyaan.’ The space craft will remain in orbit for 7 days. Gaganyaan mission is almost ready to be Launched in Amrit Kaal.
Nuclear Energy is yet another field of lndo-Russian cooperation. On 3 Aug 1948, Atomic energy commission of India was established with Homi Jahangir Bhabha as its first Chairman and placed directly under PM. Apsara, first nuclear reactor went critical on 4 August 1956.There are 7 Nuclear power projects operational in lndia . Russia had been supplying Uranium for Indian Nuclear Plants since 1990. Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KKNPP) is yet another milestone of Indo-Russia friendship. The project has been built in collaboration with Atomstoryexport of Russian federation and Nuclear Power Corporation of India NPCIL in the Tirunelevi district of Tamilnadu. There was an initial agreement in 1988 to construct two VVER 1000 megawatt reactors water moderated light water nuclear reactors which are already critical. There was another agreement in 2009 to install another 4 nuclear reactors VVER 1200 and enhance the capacity to 6000 megawatts. Russia defied sanctions of NSG and permitted India to undertake closed fuel cycle enabling preserving , mining and reprocessing of spent fuel
The important agreement for 10 years 2021 to 2031 was inked during the inaugural meeting between India –Russia 2+2 Dialogue at New Delhi on 6 December 2021. The agreement will be in the interest of both for continued military, technical cooperation, research and development, production and after sales and after sales warranty obligations. There is a full-fledged institutionalised structure to oversee complete range of Defence issues
Over the years, Defence cooperation has now transformed from buyer and seller relations to joint ventures under Make in India initiative. India is now diversifying its military equipment and purchasing equipment from USA, France, Israel and South Korea as per its own strategic requirement. India Pakistan War 1971 to Ukraine Conflict 2022 -25 have proved that India and Russian relations are not seasonal but as eternal as Pole Star.