No big announcements, but India-Russia ties stay strong

The relationship with Russia is unique as they share technology, for example, the sequential lease of two Akula-class, nuclear-powered, attack submarines (SSNs), was used for finalizing the design of India’s SSNs and for training the first sets of crews to operate them.

- MAJ GEN JAGATBIR SINGH (RETD)

Russian President Vladimir Putin travelled on a state visit to New Delhi on 4-5 December 2025 for the 23rd annual summit meeting between India and Russia. Since their first annual summit in 2000, the meetings have continued annually, without a break, except for the two years when the Covid-19 pandemic put a worldwide hold on travel.

The summit focused on solidifying economic ties, including the “uninterrupted” shipment of Russian oil and the rupee and ruble trade settlements. Agreements were signed across diverse sectors, including nuclear energy, space, critical minerals, healthcare, tourism and the development of transport corridors like the International North-South Transport Corridor (NSTC).

As is invariably the case when Indian policymakers meet their Russian counterparts’ major areas of strategic concern are discussed, namely, defence purchases, nuclear power generation and space technology.

DEFENCE TIES

India remains the world’s biggest buyer of Russian defence equipment, accounting for 30-40% of Russia's annual defence exports. But apart from the purchase of new weapon systems India maintains a huge inventory of Russian equipment spanning all three Services, from tanks, infantry combat vehicles, antiaircraft systems, artillery guns, fighter and transport aircraft, attack helicopters, utility helicopters to ships and submarines. These include platforms such as T-90 tanks, Sukhoi-30MKI aircraft, and frontline warships such as the frigate “INS Tushil” and “INS Tamal,” two of which have been built in a Russian shipyard in Kaliningrad. Another two are earmarked to be built in India, in partnership with the Kaliningrad yard.