News Excerpt:
The Prime Minister of India visited the Russian Federation on July 8-9, 2024, for the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit.
More about the News:
- During the visit, the Russian President awarded the Indian Prime Minister Russia’s highest civilian honor, the “Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle,” for his significant contributions to fostering the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia.
- It was announced in 2019 (2 years after the Chinese President) but the ceremony occurred in 2024.
Political Relations
- The leaders acknowledged the continuous strengthening of the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership based on trust, mutual understanding, and strategic alignment.
- Bilateral engagements, including during India's SCO and G20 Chairmanships in 2023 and Russia's BRICS Chairmanship in 2024, have deepened the partnership across various sectors.
Cooperation at the Level of Foreign Ministries
- They welcomed the Protocol on Foreign Office Consultations (2024-28) and regular consultations on bilateral, UN-related, counter-terrorism, consular, and global issues.
Parliamentary Cooperation
- Both sides highlighted the importance of inter-parliamentary interactions, emphasizing regular meetings of Inter-Parliamentary Commissions and Parliamentary Friendship Groups.
- They valued the visit of the Speaker of the Russian Federation Council to New Delhi for the 9th G20 Parliamentary Speakers’ Summit in October 2023.
Cooperation Between National Security Councils
- The leaders emphasized security dialogues at the National Security Advisors level, enhancing strategic understanding and coordination on bilateral, regional, and global issues.
Trade and Economic Partnership
- They noted significant growth in bilateral trade in 2023, nearly doubling the target of USD 30 billion set for 2025.
- The new target is to reach USD 100 billion by 2030.
Transport and Connectivity
- They agreed to develop stable transport corridors, focusing on projects like the Chennai-Vladivostok Eastern Maritime Corridor and the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).
- Cooperation will also promote connectivity across Eurasia and enhance shipping via the Northern Sea Route.
Civil Nuclear Cooperation, Cooperation in Space
- Highlighting civil nuclear cooperation, both sides noted progress at Kudankulam and discussed future projects.
- In space cooperation, they welcomed collaboration between ISRO and Roscosmos in satellite navigation, human spaceflight programs, and planetary exploration.
- They plan to explore cooperation in rocket engine development.
Military and Military Technical Cooperation
- Military cooperation remains a cornerstone of the partnership, focusing on joint research, development, and production of advanced defence technology.
- They agreed to promote joint manufacturing in India under the Make-in-India initiative, including spare parts and components for Russian-origin defence equipment.
|
Sr. No. |
Name of MoUs/ Agreement |
Objectives |
|
1. |
Program of India-Russia cooperation in trade, economic, and investment spheres in the Russian Far East from 2024 to 2029 as well as of cooperation principles in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation. |
To facilitate further increase in trade and joint investment projects between the Far East Region of Russia and India. |
|
2. |
MoU between the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change of the Republic of India and the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation on the issues of Climate change and low-carbon development |
Establishment of a Joint Working Group on the issues of Climate change and low-carbon development. |
|
3. |
MoU between Survey of India and the Federal Service for State Registration, Cadastre and Cartography, Russian Federation |
Exchange of knowledge and experience in geodesy, cartography, and spatial data infrastructure; professional training and capacity building; cooperation between scientific and educational institutes. |
|
4. |
MoU between the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India, and the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute on Cooperation in Research and Logistics in polar regions. |
Cooperation in the study of polar environments and their variability by sharing resources and data; logistics in polar regions; joint research; exchanges of personnel; and participation in international programs and projects in the polar region. |
|
5. |
MoU on Cooperation and Collaboration on Broadcasting between Prasar Bharati, India, and ANO "TV-Novosti” (Russia Today TV Channel), Russia. |
Cooperation in the field of broadcasting, including exchange of programs, personnel, and training. |
|
6. |
MoU between the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of the Republic of India, and Federal State Budgetary Institution "Scientific Centre for Expert Evaluation of Medicinal Products” of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation. |
To ensure the availability of high-quality medicines for human use through the exchange of information and capacity building. |
|
7. |
Cooperation Agreement between the Indian International Arbitration Centre and International Commercial Arbitration Court at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation |
Facilitation of settlement of civil law disputes of a commercial nature. |
|
8. |
Joint Investment Promotion Framework Agreement between Invest India and JSC "Management Company of Russian Direct Investment Fund” |
Facilitation of investment by Russian companies in the Indian market by promoting and fostering investment cooperation. |
|
9. |
MoU between Trade Promotion Council of India and All Russia Public Organization "Business Russia” |
Promotion of bilateral trade and investment, organizing B2B meetings, business promotion events; and exchange of business delegations. |
