India-Russia Relations

India’s partnership with Russia was upgraded twice. First it became “Strategic”, then “Special and Privileged”. Few countries hold that second title with India. This page walks through the staircase, the big deals, and the talks of 7 August 2026.

As you read, ask three things. How did the partnership climb two steps? What do the two countries build together? And what happened on 7 August 2026?

1How did the partnership climb two steps?

Think of the relationship as a staircase. India set up diplomatic ties with the Soviet Union in April 1947. That was the ground floor.

In 1971 came a big step. India and the USSR signed the Treaty of Peace, Friendship and Cooperation during the Bangladesh crisis.

The Soviet Union broke up in 1991. Ties went on with Russia.

In 2000, the two sides signed a Strategic Partnership. In 2010, it was raised to a Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.

• Diplomatic ties: April 1947.
• Treaty: 1971, Bangladesh crisis.
• Strategic Partnership: 2000.
• Special and Privileged: 2010.

2What is the Annual Summit?

The Annual Summit is the main yearly meeting of the two leaders. It reviews the whole relationship.

The 23rd Summit was held in New Delhi on 4–5 December 2025. President Putin visited. It marked 25 years of the Strategic Partnership. (Source: PIB)

Leaders adopted a programme for economic cooperation till 2030. They aim to raise trade to $100 billion by 2030.

• 23rd Summit: 4–5 December 2025, New Delhi.
• Visitor: President Putin.
• Trade goal: $100 billion by 2030.

3What do India and Russia build together?

Start with defence. India bought the S-400 Triumf air defence system from Russia. The deal was signed in October 2018 and was reported at about $5.43 billion.

Next is nuclear power. The Kudankulam plant in Tamil Nadu uses Russian VVER-1000 reactors. Two units, of 1,000 MW each, are running.

Then comes oil. Russia became India’s top oil supplier by January 2023.

Connectivity matters too. Russia is a founding member of the International North-South Transport Corridor, with India and Iran.

• Defence: S-400, signed October 2018.
• Nuclear: Kudankulam, Tamil Nadu, VVER-1000.
• Oil: Russia top supplier by January 2023.
• Corridor: INSTC, with India and Iran.

4What happened on 7 August 2026?

The 12th Session of the India-Russia Working Group on Modernization and Industrial Cooperation met in New Delhi. (Source: India Shipping News)

India’s DPIIT Secretary, Amardeep Singh Bhatia, co-chaired it. Russia’s Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, Alexey Gruzdev, was the other co-chair.

They spoke of railways, the Vande Bharat project, UAVs, SJ-100 regional aircraft and critical minerals. About 60 delegates attended. (Source: DD India)

The Protocol of the session was signed by both co-chairs.

• Body: Working Group on Modernization and Industrial Cooperation.
• Session: 12th, 7 August 2026.
• Topics: railways, UAVs, SJ-100, critical minerals.

5What are the exam traps?

• 2000 = Strategic Partnership; 2010 = Special and Privileged.
• Treaty of 1971 came during the Bangladesh crisis.
• S-400 deal: October 2018.
• Kudankulam: Tamil Nadu, VVER-1000.
• Annual Summit: 23rd in December 2025.