New Delhi, December 6 (ANI): India and Russia expanded their “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership,” agreeing to deepen cooperation across trade, nuclear energy, defence, science and technology, and other sectors, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a joint statement after the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Nuclear energy
The leaders emphasized further talks on designating a second site in India for a Russian-built Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) and Russia reiterated its commitment to fully operationalise the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP) in Tamil Nadu. Two of six reactors at Kudankulam are already online. The statement said India will work to finalise formal allotment of the second site per earlier agreements.
Both sides agreed to broaden collaboration in nuclear energy, covering fuel cycle cooperation, life-cycle support for KKNPP, non-power applications, and development of large-capacity Russian-designed VVER reactors. They pledged to speed up technical and commercial talks on VVER projects, joint NPP research and development, localisation and co-manufacturing of nuclear equipment and fuel assemblies, subject to mutually agreed terms. The partners also set a new agenda for peaceful atomic energy uses and high technologies, noting India’s plan to raise nuclear capacity to 100 GW by 2047.
Space
The statement welcomed strengthened cooperation between ISRO and Roscosmos in peaceful outer space activities, including human spaceflight, satellite navigation, planetary exploration, and joint progress in rocket engine development, production and use.
Fertilisers and energy supplies
Both sides welcomed measures to secure long-term fertiliser supplies to India and discussed potential joint ventures. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between JSC UralChem and Indian firms Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilisers Limited, National Fertilisers Limited, and Indian Potash Limited.
Transport corridors and Arctic cooperation
To bolster stable, efficient transport corridors, an MoU was signed on training specialists for ships operating in polar waters, aiming to expand logistics links and improve connectivity and infrastructure to support the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), the Chennai–Vladivostok (Eastern Maritime) Corridor, and the Northern Sea Route. India and Russia agreed to intensify trade and investment ties in Russia’s Far East and Arctic zones, guided by a Program of Cooperation in Trade, Economic and Investment spheres for 2024–2029 covering sectors such as agriculture, energy, mining, manpower, diamonds, pharmaceuticals and maritime transport.
Both sides underlined the need for regular bilateral consultations on Arctic issues and welcomed progress on the Northern Sea Route. Russia appreciated India’s participation in the 6th International Arctic Forum in Murmansk in March 2025, and India expressed readiness to play an active Observer role in the Arctic Council.
Defence and military-technical cooperation
The partners agreed to encourage joint manufacture in India of spare parts, components and assemblies for Russian-origin defence equipment under Make-in-India, through technology transfer and joint ventures to meet Indian Armed Forces needs and for export to friendly third countries. They expressed satisfaction with regular military contacts, including the Defence Ministers’ meeting in Qingdao in June 2025, and praised the INDRA joint military exercises, committing to sustain and expand military cooperation and delegation exchanges.
Finance and payments
Russia and India agreed to continue developing bilateral settlement systems using national currencies to ensure uninterrupted trade, and to continue consultations on interoperability of national payment systems, financial messaging systems, and central bank digital currency platforms.
Russian President Putin concluded his two-day Delhi visit on Friday night. (ANI)
