New Delhi, March 23 (ANI) — External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Monday praised the long-standing India–Russia relationship and said both countries are committed to expanding bilateral trade to $100 billion by 2030. He made the comments while speaking virtually at the conference “India and Russia: Towards a New Bilateral Agenda.”
Jaishankar commended the Russian International Affairs Council and the Indian Embassy in Moscow for organising the second edition of the initiative. He said both sides want to raise yearly commerce from the current $68.7 billion to $100 billion by 2030 in a balanced, sustainable way and are working to remove non-tariff barriers and regulatory hurdles that impede trade.
Describing the ties as a “special and privileged strategic partnership” grounded in trust and mutual respect, Jaishankar said India and Russia have contributed to regional and global peace, stability and development. He noted that frequent high-level exchanges have deepened engagement and pointed to President Vladimir Putin’s December 2025 visit to India as opening new avenues in areas such as mobility for skilled professionals, health and food safety, maritime cooperation, fertilisers, customs and commerce, and collaboration in academia and media.
On civil nuclear cooperation, Jaishankar called Russia India’s foremost partner and highlighted the Kudankulam nuclear power project as a standout example of bilateral cooperation. With India targeting 100 GW of nuclear capacity by 2047, he expressed confidence that Russia will remain a trusted partner in the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
Jaishankar also recalled strong people-to-people ties rooted in shared appreciation for art, yoga, Ayurveda and culture. He said the opening of new Indian consulates in Kazan and Ekaterinburg will further strengthen economic, cultural and social links between the countries.
As India takes on the BRICS chairmanship this year, Jaishankar stressed the importance of closer cooperation in an evolving multipolar world through platforms such as BRICS, the SCO, the G20 and the United Nations. He said India’s BRICS agenda will be ‘‘humanity-first’’ and people-centric, and pledged to work closely with Russia to tackle common challenges in a balanced and inclusive manner.
Moscow hosted the March 23 conference “Russia and India: Towards a New Agenda for Bilateral Relations,” which convened senior diplomats, policymakers and experts to bolster strategic cooperation. Organised by the Russian International Affairs Council and the Embassy of India in Russia, the event examined both countries’ roles in shaping a multipolar world, engagement with third countries and ways to expand economic ties, according to TV BRICS.
This report is sourced from a syndicated feed (ANI) and published as received; the publisher assumes no responsibility for its accuracy or completeness.
