India and Russia unveil 5-year strategic roadmap; Modi calls for peaceful end to Ukraine war

Modi states ‘India is on side of peace’; Putin says ‘go together, grow together’

- SIMONTINI BHATTACHARJEE

India and Russia on Friday reaffirmed the strength and future of their Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership as the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit concluded here during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s two-day State visit.

After attending a banquet in his honour at the Rashtrapati Bhavan hosted by President Droupadi Murmu, Russian President Vladimir Putin concluded by saying that the Indian phrase “Go Together, Grow Together” truly reflects the nature and character of India-Russia relations.

President Murmu appreciated Putin's support and personal commitment to the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. Her office added that both leaders expressed confidence that the longstanding friendship between India and Russia would continue to prosper in the years ahead.

PM Modi reiterated that “India is on the side of peace” amid the Ukraine war. The leaders reviewed trade ties, with Modi expressing confidence that the Rs. 100-billion target will be achieved ahead of schedule. At the India-Russia Business Forum, Modi urged Russian firms to “Make in India’.

The two leaders underlined that the relationship was based on mutual trust, respect for core national interests, and strategic convergence, affirming that India and Russia, as major global powers, "share responsibility for maintaining global peace and stability based on equal and indivisible security." They noted that despite a complex and uncertain international environment, bilateral ties have remained resilient, sustained by regular high-level political engagement.

Trade, investment, and economic cooperation became a centrepiece at the summit as both sides vowed to achieve USD 100 billion in bilateral trade by 2030.

The leaders confirmed their commitment to expanding balanced, diversified trade, increasing India's exports, and promoting hightechnology cooperation.