New Delhi, March 23 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Monday hailed longstanding India-Russia ties and said both countries are committed to growing bilateral trade to USD 100 billion by 2030. He made the remarks while virtually addressing the “India and Russia: Towards a New Bilateral Agenda” conference.
Jaishankar lauded the Russian International Affairs Council and the Indian Embassy in Moscow for organising the second edition of the initiative. He said, “Both sides are committed to increasing the present annual trade from US $68.7 billion to US $100 billion by 2030 in a balanced and sustainable manner,” and noted efforts are underway to address non-tariff barriers and regulatory impediments.
Highlighting the relationship’s strategic depth, he said India and Russia share a “special and privileged strategic partnership rooted in trust and mutual respect,” and that their cooperation has advanced regional and global peace, stability and progress. He added that engagement continues to deepen through frequent high-level exchanges and cited President Putin’s December 2025 visit to India as breaking new ground across areas including mobility of skilled professionals, health and food safety, maritime cooperation, fertilizers, customs and commerce, and academic and media cooperation.
On civil nuclear cooperation, Jaishankar called Russia India’s foremost partner and described the Kudankulam nuclear project as a stellar example. Noting India’s aim to raise nuclear energy capacity to 100 GW by 2047, he expressed confidence Russia would remain a trusted partner for peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
He recalled strong people-to-people ties grounded in shared appreciation for art, Yoga, Ayurveda and culture, and said new consulates in Kazan and Ekaterinburg will further strengthen economic, cultural and social bonds.
As India assumes the BRICS chairmanship this year, Jaishankar emphasised the need for greater cooperation in an evolving multipolar order through forums like BRICS, SCO, G20 and the UN. He said India’s BRICS chairmanship will adopt a humanity-first, people-centric approach and look forward to working closely with Russia to address shared challenges in a balanced and inclusive manner.
Moscow hosted the March 23 conference “Russia and India: Towards a New Agenda for Bilateral Relations,” bringing together senior diplomats, policymakers and experts to strengthen strategic cooperation. Organised by the Russian International Affairs Council and the Embassy of India in Russia, the conference focused on the role of both countries in shaping a multipolar world, engagement with third countries and expanding economic cooperation, as reported by TV BRICS. (ANI)
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