INDIA, RUSSIA SEAL 16 MOUS, LAUNCH 2030 ROADMAP AS MODI-PUTIN REAFFIRM 'TIME-TESTED' PARTNERSHIP

India and Russia on Friday deepened their “time-tested” strategic partnership with 16 MoUs, five major announcements and a 2030 economic roadmap unveiled during the Modi-Putin summit in New Delhi.

- ABHINANDAN MISHRA/ ADITYA WADHAWAN

"India and Russia on Friday unveiled one of their most extensive cooperation packages in recent years, signing 16 Memoranda of Understanding and announcing five major initiatives across mobility, defence, energy, trade, education and culture. The agreements, finalised during the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit in New Delhi, were accompanied by a detailed Joint Statement and the launch of a long-term "Economic Cooperation Programme" running till 2030.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin, meeting on the 25th anniversary of the Strategic Partnership, reaffirmed that the relationship had remained resilient despite global geopolitical turbulence and set a target of achieving USD 100 billion in bilateral trade by 2030.

Both sides also agreed to accelerate negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union.

The cooperation package covered a wide span of sectors.

Agreements were signed on migration and mobility, health and food safety, maritime and polar navigation, fertilisers, customs and postal collaboration, academic partnerships and media exchanges. Key announcements included the introduction of gratis 30day e-tourist visas and group visas for Russian nationals, Russia's adoption of the Framework Agreement to join the International Big Cat Alliance, and the launch of the 2030 economic roadmap.

Mobility emerged as a significant component of the summit outcomes. India and Russia signed agreements governing temporary labour activity in each other's territories and an MoU to combat irregular migration. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed that Modi raised with Putin the issue of Indians recruited into the Russian armed forces and pressed for their early release. Misri cautioned citizens against accepting such offers, noting that several Indians had travelled on student or tourist visas believing they were taking up civilian roles but later alleged they were coerced into military service.