India, Russia Have Independent, Self-Sufficient Foreign Policy: Putin After Meet With Modi

Last Updated:December 05, 2025, 15:34 IST

Russian President Vladimir Putin said, “As you know, next year India will assume the BRICS chairmanship. We will provide all necessary assistance to our Indian friends...”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the Russian President Vladimir Putin during the latter's ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi, on Friday. (PTI)

Russian President Vladimir Putin, after his talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Friday, said that the two countries are conducting an “independent and self-sufficient foreign policy".

“Russia and India are conducting independent and self-sufficient foreign policy with like-minded countries in BRICS, SCO and other countries of the global majority…We are defending the main principle of the law enshrined in the UN," said Putin, after the 23rd India-Russia annual summit.

He added that as state founders of the BRICS, “Russia and India have done a lot of things and continue to do more to increase the authority of the organisation". “As you know, next year India will assume the BRICS chairmanship. We will provide all necessary assistance to our Indian friends…" Putin said.

Hailing India-Russia ties, PM Narendra Modi said, “Over the past eight decades, the world has witnessed numerous ups and downs. Humanity has had to pass through many challenges and crises. And amidst all this, the India-Russia friendship has remained steadfast like a pole star…"

“I am confident that in the years to come, our friendship will give us the strength to meet global challenges, and that this trust will further enrich our shared future…," said the PM.

“India and Russia have long been standing 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. India and Russia have close cooperation in the UN, G20, BRICS, SCO, and other forums. We will continue our dialogue and cooperation in all these forums…," said PM Modi.

India-Russia strategic partnership

Commenting on the strategic partnership, Putin said, “Our country, for the last half a century, has been helping to arm and modernise the Indian Army, including the Air Defence Forces, aviation, and the Navy. In general, we are undoubtedly satisfied with the results of the negotiation we just had…I can express my confidence that the current visit and the agreements reached will help further deepen the Russian-Indian strategic partnership for the benefit of our countries and the people, the peoples of India and Russia."

India-Russia trade ties

Putin also emphasised on the bilateral trade ties. “Over the past years, you have done a great deal of work to develop our relationship…We open additional areas for cooperation, including hi-tech aircraft, space exploration and artificial intelligence…"

“Last year, our bilateral trade turnover has grown by 12%, setting another record according to different data. This number may look different, but it is generally around 64 billion US dollars. Currently, we are forecasting that the results of this year will remain at the same impressive level. At the same time, as I perceive it, we are up to the task of getting this number to the level of $100 billion… The Prime Minister gave us a whole list of challenges that deserve the most attentive focus of our government. We will do that. The growth of Russian Indian commercial links would be helped by the creation of a free trade zone between Indian and the Eurasian Economic Union. We are already conducting work on the corresponding agreement," said Putin.

“We are working with our Indian partners to build new international transport routes, including the project to create North-South transport from Russia or Belarus to the Indian Ocean coast," said Putin.

India-Russia economic cooperation

PM Modi said that increasing economic cooperation between India and Russia is a priority. “For this we have agreed on an economic cooperation program till 2030."

“Our countries are gradually moving towards the use of national currencies for payment settlements. The share is 96 per cent already in commercial payments," said Putin, adding, “We are also working on a project to build the largest Indian nuclear plant. Three out of six reactors have already been connected to the energy network…"

PM Narendra Modi says, “…Energy security has been a strong and important pillar of the India-Russia partnership. Our decades-old cooperation in civil nuclear energy has been crucial in realising our shared clean energy priorities. We will continue this win-win cooperation. Our cooperation in critical minerals is crucial to ensuring secure and diversified supply chains across the world. This will provide strong support to our partnership in clean energy, high-tech manufacturing, and new-age industries." “Our deep cooperation in shipbuilding has the potential to strengthen Make in India. This is another excellent example of our win-win cooperation, which will boost jobs, skills, and regional connectivity."

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