New Delhi – India and Russia exchanged multiple agreements on December 5, 2025, strengthening cooperation across migration, healthcare, energy, transport, trade, and cultural ties. The ceremony brought together President Vladimir Putin of Russia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, ministers from both countries, and senior officials.
The first set of agreements addressed migration and temporary labour mobility between the two nations. These were signed by Russia’s Minister of Internal Affairs Vladimir Kolo Kulsivv and India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. J. Shankar. Two additional agreements focused on healthcare collaboration, medical education, and food safety cooperation. These were signed by Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko and Dr. Shankar.
Transport and maritime cooperation was formalised through memorandums of understanding between India’s Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and Russia’s Ministry of Transport and Maritime Board, facilitating training of specialists for polar waters operations and broader shipping collaborations. Corporate-level agreements included partnerships between MS GSC Ural Kim, Rashria Chemicals and Fertilizers Limited, National Fertilizers Limited, and Indian Potash Limited.
Customs and postal services cooperation was reinforced with agreements between India’s Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs and Russia’s Federal Customs Service, alongside a bilateral pact between the Department of Posts of India and Russian Post to streamline goods, vehicle movements, and communication channels.
Leaders of both nations adopted a joint statement and a strategic development program for India-Russia economic cooperation through 2030. Russia also agreed to join the International Big Cat Alliance as part of conservation initiatives.
In press remarks, Prime Minister Modi outlined the scope of cooperation covering trade, energy, civil nuclear energy, clean energy, mineral resources, high-tech manufacturing, vocational education, people-to-people mobility, cultural exchanges, tourism, and regional connectivity including the Northern Sea Route and Chennai Corridor.
President Putin highlighted that bilateral trade reached approximately 64 billion US dollars last year, with a goal to expand it further. He outlined Russia’s commitment to supply oil, gas, coal, and nuclear energy support, including the Kodankulam nuclear power plant, of which two of six reactor units are already operational. Plans for small modular reactors, floating nuclear power plants, and nuclear applications in medicine and agriculture were discussed.
Putin also mentioned joint development of international transport corridors from Russia and Belarus to the Indian Ocean, expanding opportunities for trade and logistics. Collaborative projects include pharmaceuticals, machine manufacturing, digital technologies, space exploration, and industrial production aligned with India’s Make in India program. A Russian-Indian pharmaceutical factory will produce advanced anti-tumor drugs using Indian technology.
Humanitarian and cultural cooperation was noted as multifaceted, including educational exchanges, youth programs, alternating festivals, Russian-Indian cinema, and increased tourism flows. The Russian TV channel RT has launched broadcasts in India to provide objective news coverage about Russia.
Both countries confirmed alignment on global and regional matters through BRICS, SCO, and other international platforms, advocating multipolarity, sovereignty, and respect for international law. Military-technical cooperation continues, with Russia supporting modernization of India’s army, navy, and air defense systems.
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