Paper: GS – II, Subject: International Relations, Topic: India’s Relation with Major powers, Issue: India–Russia Relations.
Context:
President Putin’s state visit to India resulted in 16 agreements covering labour mobility, nuclear cooperation, energy, trade, defence, and strategic consultation—deepening ties at a time of global geopolitical turbulence.
| Key Highlights: | |
| 1 | India and Russia reaffirmed their stable, long-standing partnership, emphasising its reliability even amid global tensions and Western pressure |
| 2 | A 2030 roadmap was outlined to deepen cooperation across trade, energy, defence, connectivity, and labour mobility. |
| 3 | Russia’s labour shortage—driven by demographic decline and the Ukraine war—creates demand for about 5 lakh semi-skilled workers, opening new avenues for Indian labour mobility. |
| 4 | Both countries signed agreements on temporary labour activity to protect worker rights, curb fraudulent recruitment, and expand movement of semi-skilled and skilled Indian workers to Russia. |
| 5 | Economic ties stay strong, driven by India’s imports of discounted Russian oil. |
| 6 | Both sides aim to expand investments, boost national-currency trade, cut deficits, and target USD 100 billion trade. |
| 7 | India introduced free 30-day e-tourist and group visas for Russians and agreed to expand language training, education exchanges, and cultural cooperation. |
| 8 | Nuclear cooperation advanced through progress at Kudankulam and proposed collaboration on VVER and small modular reactors. |
| 9 | Both sides will deepen cooperation in Arctic connectivity, space (Roscosmos–ISRO), healthcare, pharmaceuticals, education, tourism, agriculture, and cultural exchanges. |
Significance:
- Strengthens one of India’s most enduring strategic partnerships despite shifting global alignments.
- Opens major avenues for Indian workers, supporting India’s demographic advantage and boosting remittances.
- Reinforces India’s energy security, especially through discounted oil, nuclear fuel supply, and reactor development.
- Boosts bilateral trade diversification, potentially reducing dollar-dependence via national currency settlement.
- Enhances India’s presence in Arctic routes and research, expanding strategic geography.
- Supports India’s defence ecosystem through co-production, long-term spares, and technological partnerships.
- Expands people-to-people ties, tourism, education, and cultural cooperation.
India–Russia Challenges and Government Measures:
Way forward:
- Strengthen worker protection frameworks, energy partnerships, and long-term fuel security while expanding regulated migration pathways.
- Deepen strategic cooperation through joint defence–tech manufacturing, improved national currency trade mechanisms, and reduced trade imbalances.
- Maintain balanced diplomacy with Russia alongside Western partners, and advance Arctic collaboration with environmental and strategic safeguards.
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