Anchor of Trust: Putin and Modi Reaffirm 'Guiding Star' Partnership
Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit for the 23rd Annual Summit solidified the India-Russia 'Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership,' setting a bold $100 billion trade target by 2030 and advancing crucial agreements in energy, connectivity, and defence co-production.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin exchange documents after signing key agreements and jointly addressing the media following the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit in New Delhi.
Russian President Vladimir Putin finished his important two-day state visit to India on December 5, 2025. This came during the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit. It really showed how strong the nations' special and privileged strategic partnership stays.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the relationship in their talks. It is now marking its 25th anniversary. He called it a guiding star of mutual respect and trust. The leaders agreed on a new Economic Cooperation Programme until 2030. They set a big target of 100 billion dollars in yearly bilateral trade. That is quite a jump from where things stand now.
They turned attention to areas looking ahead, past the usual defense focus. Agreements covered more work in civil nuclear energy. They pushed forward on big connectivity projects like the International North-South Transport Corridor(INSTC). Negotiations picked up for a Free Trade Agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union.
With all the global geopolitical issues around, President Putin assured India of “uninterrupted shipments of fuel”. Both leaders decided to grow trade settlements in their own national currencies.
Prime Minister Modi broke usual protocol during the visit. He greeted the Russian President personally. This sent a strong signal of unity. The long standing relationship acts as a key support for New Delhi and Moscow. It holds firm in this multipolar world.
