Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership during their latest summit. The leaders emphasized deepening cooperation across military, multilateral, counter-terrorism, and regional issues, underscoring the resilience and strategic importance of their bilateral relationship.
Military and Military-Technical Cooperation
Military and Military-Technical Cooperation remains a cornerstone of the India-Russia partnership, guided by the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military and Military-Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-M&MTC). In a joint statement following the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit, the leaders welcomed the outcomes of the 22nd Session of the IRIGC-M&MTC held in New Delhi on December 4. The partnership is now focused on joint research and development, co-development, and co-production of advanced defence technology and systems, aligning with India’s pursuit of self-reliance.
Prime Minister Modi and President Putin expressed satisfaction with regular military contacts, including the meeting of Defence Ministers in Qingdao in June 2025 on the sidelines of the SCO Member-States’ Defence Ministers’ Meeting. Both sides appreciated the joint military exercises INDRA and reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining and expanding military cooperation activities and delegation exchanges.
They agreed to encourage joint manufacturing in India of spare parts, components, aggregates, and other products for Russian-origin defence equipment under the Make-in-India programme. This includes technology transfer and setting up joint ventures to meet the needs of the Indian Armed Forces and for subsequent exports to mutually friendly third countries.
Cooperation in the UN and Multilateral Fora
Both sides highlighted high-level political dialogue at the UN and committed to deepening collaboration. They stressed the importance of revitalizing multilateralism under the UN and reaffirmed adherence to international law and the UN Charter. The leaders called for comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council to make it more representative, effective, and reflective of contemporary global realities. Russia reiterated its support for India’s permanent membership in a reformed UN Security Council.
India and Russia highlighted cooperation within G20, BRICS, and SCO formats. They emphasized the consolidation of Global South priorities during India’s 2023 G20 Presidency and welcomed virtual Voice of Global South summits. Both sides underscored the G20 as a platform for dialogue between emerging and developed economies on an equal footing.
PM Modi and President Putin reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening BRICS, including the expanded grouping under political-security, economic-financial, and cultural-people-to-people pillars. Russia pledged full support for India’s BRICS Chairship in 2026. They also emphasized deepening SCO cooperation, commended the successful hosting of the SCO Council of Heads of Government Meeting in Moscow, and welcomed India’s initiative to establish the SCO Civilizational Dialogue Forum in 2026.
Both countries stressed SCO’s role in promoting a multipolar world, focusing on counter-terrorism, extremism, separatism, drug trafficking, cross-border organized crime, and information security. They highlighted the establishment of the Universal Center on Countering Security Challenges in Tashkent and the Counter-Narcotics Center in Dushanbe.
The PM and the Russian President underlined cooperation within UN COPUOS for the long-term sustainability of outer space activities and reiterated commitment to global non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Russia expressed strong support for India’s Nuclear Suppliers Group membership. They also stressed strengthening regional fora like the East Asia Summit, ASEAN Regional Forum, and ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus.
Both sides emphasized strict compliance with the Biological Weapons Convention (BTWC) and urged negotiations on a legally binding instrument preventing an arms race in outer space. They reaffirmed commitment to international treaties on biodiversity conservation and protection of endangered species and welcomed Russia’s adoption of the Framework Agreement to join the International Big Cat Alliance.
India looked forward to Russia joining the International Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure. The leaders agreed to develop joint approaches to global economic challenges, mobilizing climate finance and technology, ensuring reforms in international economic governance, and promoting sustainable development.
Counter-Terrorism
India and Russia reaffirmed their commitment to bilateral and multilateral cooperation in countering terrorism, extremism, transnational organized crime, money laundering, terrorist financing, and illicit drug trafficking. The leaders condemned terrorist attacks in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir (April 22, 2025), and Crocus City Hall, Moscow (March 22, 2024), and unequivocally condemned all acts of terrorism irrespective of motive.
They stressed coordinated action against UN-listed terrorist groups including Al Qaeda, ISIS/Daesh, and affiliates, targeting