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, December 5, 2025
| Photo Credit:
ADNAN ABIDI
New Delhi
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that additional areas of cooperation with India are opening up in sectors such as aviation, space exploration, high technology, AI and military technology as the economies of both countries advance,.
“As our countries and economies move forward there are more opportunities for cooperation. We open additional areas of cooperation including areas related to high tech, as well as cooperation in aircrafts, space exploration and AI. We are developing our cooperation fast in military and technical area. And we are planning to move forward in all these areas,” Putin said during his summit meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday.
The Russian President also appreciated the “profoundness” of the substance of India-Russia relationship and said it was rooted in deep history.
One of the main focus areas for discussions between India and Russia during Putin’s visit is the existing trade imbalance and the need for Russia to import more from India to bring down the widening deficit.
India’s trade deficit with Russia widened to $59 billion in FY25, as it imported goods, mostly crude oil and petroleum products, worth $63.8 billion from Moscow while managing to export goods worth just $4.9 billion to the country.
On Thursday, a senior Russian official pointed out that the delegation of senior government officials and businesses accompanying Putin to India were visiting for a specific purpose, and that was to increase supplies of Indian goods and services. Automobiles, textiles, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, engineering goods, telecom equipment and agricultural and food products are some of the items Russia wants to procure more from India.
Putin said that teams from both countries had done “great work” before the visit and had prepared a great number of documents. “We have the opportunity to talk in details on some of them,” he said.
Echoing Putin’s thoughts on trust and increased cooperation between the two countries, the Indian Prime Minister said the relationship between India and Russia was a good example of the heights bilateral ties could reach. “We want economic relationship between India and Russia to expand and touch new heights. With such hopeful outcomes in mind we will take forward our meeting,” Modi said.
The two countries are working towards the target of achieving bilateral trade of $100 billion by 2030, but India has made it clear that gains should accrue to both sides.
While there was no mention of US sanctions and tariffs affecting both countries in the statements, Modi expressed appreciation for regular updates by Russia on the Ukraine crisis.
“After Ukraine crisis, we have been in constant discussions. From time to time you (Putin) have updated us like a true friend. I think trust is a big strength. And several times I have discussed this with you…we should all together look for ways to peace. Going by the recent efforts that are going on, I am sure that the world will return in the direction of peace,” Modi said.
Putin thanked Modi for his interest in the Ukraine situation and trying for a resolution.
“I shared a great number of details about the events taking place in Ukraine. Thank you for your efforts in finding a solution to the situation,” Putin said.
Published on December 5, 2025
