 "Russian President Vladimir Putin and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi shake hands as they attend a presentation of a joint statement after their delegation level talks at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, India. Reuters")
It’s Day 2 of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India and it was time for business. The Russian leader began his second day of the closely-watched India trip with a visit to the Rashtrapati Bhavan for the ceremonial guard of honour. Accompanied by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he then visited Rajghat to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi.
In the visitor’s book, Putin wrote: “One of the founders of the modern Indian state, the great philosopher and humanist Mahatma Gandhi, made an invaluable contribution to the cause of peace on the entire planet. His ideas of freedom, virtue, and non-violence remain relevant to this day. Mahatma Gandhi, in essence, foresaw the emergence of a new, more just multipolar world order, which is now in the process of taking shape. In his correspondence with Lev Nikolaevich Tolstoy, he wrote about the future of the world — free from diktat and hegemony, built on the principles of equality, mutual respect, and cooperation among nations. And it is precisely these principles that today closely bind the values of Russia and India on the international stage.”
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The two world leaders then made their way to Hyderabad House for the 23rd annual India-Russia summit in which they discussed ways and means to improve ties between the two nations.
What did Modi and Putin discuss during the talks? Here’s what we have learnt so far.
On Russia-Ukraine war
Putin’s visit to India comes at a time when the Russia-Ukraine visit continues with the United States trying to negotiate a peace proposal that both sides can agree to. Amid this situation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi once again reaffirmed India’s stance on the war — perhaps, sending a message to the West, which has been pushing for New Delhi to alienate Moscow.
In his opening remarks at the talks, PM Modi said that India is not neutral as it is on the side of peace to end the Ukraine conflict. “We have been holding discussions following the start of the Ukraine conflict. As a close friend, you have been regularly apprising us on the situation. I think trust is a major strength.
“We all should find the path of peace. I am aware of the latest efforts and I am confident that the world will turn to peace,” he said.
He then added, “I have always said that India is not neutral; India has a side and that side is peace. We support all peace efforts and we are standing shoulder-to-shoulder in all peace efforts.”
Responding to these remarks, Russian President Putin said Moscow is working towards a peaceful solution to the conflict. “I could share a great deal of details about the events taking place in Ukraine. We are talking together with some partners, including the US, on a possible peaceful statement. Thank you for the attention in finding solutions for this situation. Our ways are deeply rooted in history, but it is not the words that matter; it is the substance of the matter, which is very profound. We really appreciate that and the fact that you, as PM, take special personal attention to that.”
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View AllIndia-Russia sign labour, and other key agreements
Following Modi and Putin talks, the two sides exchanged agreements, including the landmark manpower agreement that could streamline the process for Indian professionals to work in Russia.
This agreement will ensure legal protection for existing Indian workers and open pathways for thousands of new professionals in industries such as construction, textiles, engineering and electronics.
What this agreement does is that it addresses Russia’s acute shortage of skilled workers. Meanwhile, for India, it opens a new frontier for employment. This agreement, according to documents, will allow for more than 70,000 Indian nationals to be employed in Russia by the end of the year.
India and Russia also signed agreements on maritime domain as well as in healthcare, science and medical education. Moscow has also agreed to join the International Big Cat Alliance — a multi-country, multi-agency coalition of 96 big cat range countries, and non-range countries aimed at conserving seven big cats and their habitats.
India and Russia agree to economic cooperation until 2030
PM Modi said a key pillar of the relations between India and Russia is economic ties. He noted that the India-Russia friendship has remained steadfast for decades. “Fifteen years ago, in 2010, our partnership was granted the status of a Special Privileged Strategic Partnership. For the past two-and-a-half decades, he (President Putin) has nurtured this relationship with his leadership and vision. His leadership, under all circumstances, has elevated our ties to new heights. I express my heartfelt gratitude to President Putin, my friend, for this deep friendship and unwavering commitment to India.”
The PM also added, “To further economic cooperation, we have signed a Vision 2030 document. Today, both of us will take part in the India–Russia Business Forum. I am confident this platform will strengthen our business relations and open new avenues for co-production and co-innovation. Both countries are also taking new steps to realise an FTA with the Eurasian Economic Union.”
India to start e-tourist visa for Russia
In a press conference following talks, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that India will soon start e-tourist visas as well as group tourist visa for Russians.
PM Modi said that Russian citizens will soon be able to get free 30-day e-tourist visa and 30-day group tourist visa. “This is crucial for the manpower mobility in both countries… We signed two agreements in this regard,” he said.
India has become an important source of visitors for Russia and ranks second after China among distant foreign markets. Moscow recorded 19.7 million visitors in the first nine months of 2024, including 61,000 from India, according to official data. The city expects foreign tourist arrivals to reach 6 million, driven by travellers from CIS countries, the Asia-Pacific region, India, the Middle East and other regions.
PM Modi raises issue of terrorism
Prime Minister Modi in his remarks also added that both countries have “stood shoulder to shoulder in the fight against terrorism”. “Whether it is the terrorist attack in Pahalgam or the cowardly attack on the Crocus City Hall, the root of all these incidents is the same. India’s unwavering belief is that terrorism is a direct assault on the values of humanity and that global unity against it is our greatest strength.”
Fuel and energy trade between India and Russia
Interestingly, President Putin raised the issue of India and Russia’s fuel and energy trade in his remarks after the summit at Hyderabad House. This comes at a time when the Donald Trump administration has imposed a 25 per cent punitive tariff on New Delhi for its purchase of Russian crude.
In his comments, Putin said: “Russia is a reliable supplier of oil, gas, coal, and everything that is required for the development of India’s energy. We are ready to continue uninterrupted shipments of fuel for the fast growing Indian economy.”
The Russian leader also touched upon nuclear energy, adding: “We are conducting a project to build the largest Indian nuclear power plant in Tamil Nadu, two out of six reactors are already connected and four are under construction. Getting this nuclear power plant to full power up will make an impressive contribution to the energy requirement. It will help supply Indian enterprises and households with cheap and clean energy.”
Earlier on, even PM Modi stated that energy security has been a bedrock of their ties. “Energy security has been a strong pillar of our partnership, and we will continue this win-win cooperation. Our collaboration in civil nuclear energy has spanned decades and contributed to clean energy. Our cooperation in critical minerals is essential for maintaining a diverse and reliable global supply chain,” said PM Modi.
On foreign policy and multipolar world
Both leaders also reflected on the ongoing events in the world, with PM Modi noting that humanity is undergoing many challenges. Putin added that Russia, India and other like-minded nations are working towards a just and multipolar world.
“Next year, India will assume the chairmanship of BRICS, and we will provide all necessary assistance to our Indian friends”, added Putin.
With inputs from agencies