Russia and India India–Russia relations

1 russia , india

1.1 political relations

1.1.1 irigc


1.2 military relationship

1.2.1 joint military exercises

1.2.1.1 indra
1.2.1.2 avia-indra




1.3 economic relations

1.3.1 free trade agreement (fta)


1.4 co-operation in energy sector
1.5 space co-operation
1.6 science , technology
1.7 north-south transport corridor
1.8 cooperation in cultural sphere
1.9 terrorism

russia , india

relations india have been , sure 1 of important foreign policy priorities of our country. our mutual ties of friendship filled sympathy, , trust, , openness. , must frankly never overshadowed disagreements or conflict. understanding - indeed common heritage of our peoples. valued , cherished in our country, in russia, , in india. , rightfully proud of close, close relations between our countries.

we confident india lives in hearts of every russian. in same way, can assure russia lives in our souls homeland, people share our emotions, our feelings of mutual respect , constant friendship. long live our friendship!

...india-russia relationship 1 of deep friendship , mutual confidence not affected transient political trends. russia has been pillar of strength @ difficult moments in india s history. india reciprocate support. russia , remain our important defense partner , key partner our energy security, both on nuclear energy , hydrocarbons,

political relations

former prime minister atal bihari vajpayee russia s president vladimir putin in october 2000.



both countries members of brics.

the first major political initiative, since collapse of soviet union, between india , russia began strategic partnership signed between 2 countries in 2000. president vladimir putin stated in article written him in hindu, declaration on strategic partnership between india , russia signed in october 2000 became historic step . former prime minister manmohan singh agreed counterpart stated in speech given during president putin s 2012 visit india, president putin valued friend of india , original architect of india-russia strategic partnership . both countries closely collaborate on matters of shared national interest these include @ un, brics, g20 , sco india has observer status , has been asked russia become full member. russia supports india receiving permanent seat on united nations security council. in addition, russia has vocally backed india joining nsg , apec. moreover, has expressed interest in joining saarc observer status in india founding member.

russia 1 of 2 countries in world (the other being japan) has mechanism annual ministerial-level defence reviews india. indo-russian inter-governmental commission (irigc) 1 of largest , comprehensive governmental mechanisms india has had country internationally. every department government of india attends it.

irigc

meeting of irigc in new delhi, india december 2012

the indo-russian inter-governmental commission (irigc) main body conducts affairs @ governmental level between both countries. have described steering committee of indo-russia relations. divided 2 parts, first covering trade, economic, scientific, technological , cultural co-operation. co-chaired russian deputy prime minister , indian external affairs minister. second part of commission covers military technical co-operation co-chaired 2 countries respective defence ministers. both parts of irigc meet annually.

in addition, irigc there other bodies conduct economic relations between 2 countries. these include, indo-russian forum on trade , investment, india-russia business council, india-russia trade, investment , technology promotion council , india-russia chamber of commerce.

an article penned vladimir putin published in times of india on 30 may 2017, day before prime minister narendra modi s visit russia, mark 70th anniversary of establishment of relations between india , russia on 13 april 1947.

military relationship

meeting of russian-indian intergovernmental commission on military , technical cooperation



indian , russian soldiers training during indra 2015 counter-terrorism exercise.



the sukhoi su-30mki jointly built russia , india



the jointly built fgfa based on sukhoi su-57



ceremony of russian-indian intergovernmental commission on military , technical cooperation

defence relations between india , russian federation have historical perspective. soviet union important supplier of defence equipment several decades, , relationship inherited russia after break-up of soviet union. in 1997, russia , india signed ten-year agreement further military-technical cooperation. agreement encompassed wide range of activities, including purchase of completed weaponry, joint development , production, , joint marketing of armaments , military technologies.

today, co-operation not limited buyer-seller relationship includes joint research , development, training, service service contacts, including joint exercises. last joint naval exercises took place in april 2007 in sea of japan , joint airborne exercises held in september 2007 in russia.

an inter-governmental commission on military-technical co-operation co-chaired defence ministers of 2 countries. seventh session of inter-governmental commission held in october 2007 in moscow. during visit, agreement on joint development , production of prospective multi-role fighters signed between 2 countries.

an india–russia co-operation agreement signed in december 1988. has resulted in sale of multitude of defence equipment india , emergence of countries development partners opposed purely buyer-seller relationship. 2 programmes evidence approach projects form indian-russian joint ventures develop , produce fifth generation fighter aircraft (fgfa) , multirole transport aircraft (mta). agreement pending 10-year extension.

india , russia have several major joint military programmes including:

brahmos cruise missile programme
5th generation fighter jet programme
sukhoi su-30mki programme (230+ built hindustan aeronautics)
ilyushin/hal tactical transport aircraft

additionally, india has purchased/leased various military hardware russia:

s-400 triumf 12.
kamov ka-226 200 made in india under make in india initiative.
t-90s bhishma on 1000 built in india
akula-ii nuclear submarine (2 leased option buy when lease expires)
ins vikramaditya aircraft carrier programme
tu-22m3 bombers (4 ordered)
us$900 million upgrade of mig-29
mil mi-17 (80 ordered) more in service.
ilyushin il-76 candid (6 ordered fit israeli phalcon radar)
the farkhor air base in tajikistan jointly operated indian air force , tajikistan air force.

both countries signed defence deal worth $2.9 billion during president putin s visit india in december 2012. 42 new sukhois, produced under licence defence psu hindustan aeronautics, add 230 sukhois earlier contracted russia. overall, price tag 272 sukhois - 3 of on 170 inducted till have crashed - stands @ on $12 billion. medium-lift mi-17 v5 helicopters (59 iaf , 12 home ministry/bsf) add 80 such choppers being inducted under $1.34 billion deal inked in 2008. value of india s defence projects russia further zoom north after imminent inking of final design contract joint development of futuristic stealth fifth-generation fighter. r&d contract pegged @ us$11 billion, shared equally 2 countries. if india inducts on 200 of these 5th gen fighters, hopes 2022 onwards, overall cost of gigantic project india come around us$35 billion since each of jets come upwards of us$100 million @ least.

joint military exercises
indra

the indian , russian navies exercising during indra 2007



mi-35 helicopters of aircraft took part in avia-indra

indra joint, bi-annual military exercise conducted india , russia starting in 2003. exercise tasked boosting cooperation , interoperability between russian , indian navies. word indra portmanteau of participants respective countries.

the exercise involves live firing drills, air defence , anti submarine operations. additionally, counterpiracy, terrorism , drug smuggling operations carried out.

avia-indra

avia-indra annual military exercise conducted air forces of india , russia held in 2 parts. in 2014 first part of exercise held in astrakhan region, close caspian sea in russia , second part held in halwara, punjab in india. objective of exercise improve operational interoperability between respective air forces , training. aircraft involved in exercise included su-30mkis, su-30sms, mig-21s, mi-17 & mi-35 helicopters.

economic relations

indian , russian diplomats holding talks @ hyderabad house in new delhi



the india trade promotion organization in moscow, russia



prime minister modi , president putin @ world diamond conference in new delhi in 2014



russian exports india in 2012



indian exports russia in 2012



russian exports india 1995 2012



indian exports russia 1995 2012

bilateral trade between both countries concentrated in key value chain sectors. these sectors include highly diversified segments such machinery, electronics, aerospace, automobile, commercial shipping, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, fertilisers, apparels, precious stones, industrial metals, petroleum products, coal, high-end tea , coffee products. bilateral trade in 2002 stood @ $1.5 billion , increased on 7 times $11 billion in 2012 , both governments setting bilateral trade target of $30 billion 2025. bilaterial bodies conduct economic relations between 2 countries include irigc, indo-russian forum on trade , investment, india-russia business council, india-russia trade, investment , technology promotion council, india-russia ceos council , india-russia chamber of commerce.

both governments have jointly developed economic strategy involves using number of economic components increase future bilateral trade. these include development of fta between india & eeu, bilateral treaty on promotion , protection of investments, new economic planning mechanism built irigc, simplication of customs procedures, new long term agreements in expansion of energy trade including nuclear, oil , gas. finally, long term supplier contracts in key sectors such oil, gas , rough diamonds. companies such rosneft, gazprom, essar & alrosa act long term suppliers respectively.

russia has stated co-operate india on make in india initiative engagement in development of smart cites , dmic, aerospace sector, commercial nuclear sector , enhancement in manufacturing of russian military products through co-development , co-production. russia agreed participate in vast, on $100 billion, dmic infrastructure project connect delhi , mumbai railways, highways, ports, interconnecting smart cities , industrial parks. russian president vladimir putin stated in interview 1 of government’s priorities of building smart city in india, smart city on basis of russian technologies. afk sistema primary russian company involved in project due previous experience in smart city projects in ufa, kazan , rostov.

both countries have agreed work in aerospace sector co-development , co-produce aircraft, examples include sukhoi superjet 100, ms-21, fgfa, mta , kamov ka-226. of co-developed aircraft jointly commercially exported third countries , foreign markets e.g. fgfa , kamov ka-226. president of russia s uac mikhail pogosyan stated in interview, planning sell in india 100 passenger aircraft 2030, account 10 percent of indian market of airliners in segment , further stated, unprecedented scope of russian-indian cooperation in military aviation has created scientific , engineering basis undertaking joint projects in civil aviation.

india world s largest cutting & polishing centre diamonds. both countries have agreed streamline bilateral trade in diamonds through reductions in regulations , tariffs. indian prime minister modi stated in interview, made 3 proposals president putin. first, alrosa have direct long-term contracts more indian companies. pleased know moving in direction. second, want alrosa , others trade directly on our diamond bourse. have decided create special notified zone mining companies can trade diamonds on consignment basis , re-export unsold ones. third, asked reform regulation russia can send rough diamonds india , reimport polished diamonds without duties . analysts predict through streamlined procedures , initiatives bilateral trade in area increase.

russia has agreed build more 20 nuclear reactors on next 20 year. russian president stated in interview, contains plans build on 20 nuclear power units in india, cooperation in building russia-designed nuclear power stations in third countries, in joint extraction of natural uranium, production of nuclear fuel , waste elimination. in 2012 gazprom group , india s gail agreed lng shipments india of 2.5 million tons year period of 20 years. lng shipments contract expected begin anytime between 2017-21. indian oil companies have invested in russia s oil sector notable example ongc-videsh has invested on $8 billion major stakes in oil fields such sakhalin-1. in joint statement released both governments stated, expected indian companies participate in projects related new oil , gas fields in territory of russian federation. sides study possibilities of building hydrocarbon pipeline system, connecting russian federation india.

officials both countries have discussed how increase co-operation between countries respective industries. russian minister of communication nikolai nikiforov stated in interview, development of products , software has traditionally been strong point of india. welcome possible joint projects in field , closer contacts between russian , indian companies.

due india simplifying recent visa rule changes russians travelling india, number of tourists increased on 22%. in 2011 indian consulates in moscow, vladivostok , st. petersburg issued 160,000 visas, increase of on 50% compared 2010.

russian imports india amounted $3.1 billion or 1% of overall imports, , 0.7% of india s overall exports in 2014. 10 major commodities exported india russia were:

russian exports india amounted $6.2 billion or 1.3% of overall exports, , 0.9% of india s overall imports in 2014. 10 major commodities exported russia india were:

free trade agreement (fta)

the formal process fta between india , eeu begun @ 2014 indo-russian summit in new delhi.



signing of indian-russian documents @ 2015 indo-russian summit in moscow.

both governments have long viewed bilateral trade below optimal potential, long term way of rectifying through having free trade agreement (fta). both governments have set joint study group (jsg) negotiate specifications of agreement, final agreement signed between india , eurasian economic union of russia part of (also including kazakhstan, armenia, kyrgyzstan & belarus). thereby, indo-russian fta result in bigger free trade agreement including india, russia, kazakhstan, armenia, kyrgyzstan & belarus. predicted once fta in place bilateral trade increase manifold, thereby increasing importance of economics in bilateral ties.

the table below shows recent indo-russian bilateral trade performance:

co-operation in energy sector

energy sector important area in indo-russian bilateral relations. in 2001, ongc-videsh acquired 20% stake in sakhalin-i oil , gas project in russian federation, , has invested $1.7 billion in project. gazprom, russian company, , gas authority of india have collaborated in joint development of block in bay of bengal. kudankulam nuclear power project 2 units of 1000 mw each example of indo-russian nuclear energy co-operation. both sides have expressed interest in expanding co-operation in energy sector.

in december 2008, russia , india signed agreement build civilian nuclear reactors in india during visit russian president new delhi.

space co-operation

india , russia have both signed agreements cooperation , use of glonass



india s first satellite aryabhata launched space cooperation of soviet union

historically, there has been long history of cooperation between soviet union , india in space. examples include aryabhata india s first satellite, named after indian astronomer of same name. launched soviet union on 19 april 1975 kapustin yar using kosmos-3m launch vehicle. during president vladimir putin s visit india in december 2004, 2 space-related bilateral agreements signed viz. inter-governmental umbrella agreement on co-operation in outer space peaceful purposes , inter space agency agreement on co-operation in russian satellite navigation system glonass. subsequently, number of follow-up agreements on glonass have been signed. in november 2007, 2 countries have signed agreement on joint lunar exploration. these space co-operation programmes under implementation. chandrayaan-2 joint lunar exploration mission proposed indian space research organisation (isro) , russian federal space agency (rka) , has projected cost of 4.25 billion (us$90 million). mission, proposed launched in 2017 geosynchronous satellite launch vehicle (gslv) launch vehicle, includes lunar orbiter , rover made in india 1 lander built russia.

science , technology

the ongoing collaboration in field of science & technology, under integrated long-term programme of co-operation (iltp) largest co-operation programme in sphere both india , russia. iltp coordinated department of science , technology indian side , russian academy of sciences , russian ministry of industry & science , technology russian side. development of saras duet aircraft, semiconductor products, super computers, poly-vaccines, laser science , technology, seismology, high-purity materials, software & , ayurveda have been of priority areas of co-operation under iltp. under programme, 8 joint indo-russian centres have been established focus on joint research , development work. 2 other joint centres on non-ferrous metals , accelerators , lasers being set in india. joint technology centre based in moscow bring cutting edge technologies market under processing. iltp joint council met in moscow on 11–12 october 2007 review co-operation , give further direction. in august 2007, mou signed between department of science , technology , russian foundation of basic research, moscow pursue scientific co-operation.

north-south transport corridor


north south transport corridor route via india, iran, azerbaijan , russia

the north–south transport corridor ship, rail, , road route moving freight between india, russia, iran, europe , central asia. route involves moving freight india, iran, azerbaijan , russia via ship, rail , road. objective of corridor increase trade connectivity between major cities such mumbai, moscow, tehran, baku, bandar abbas, astrakhan, bandar anzali etc. dry runs of 2 routes conducted in 2014, first mumbai baku via bandar abbas , second mumbai astrakhan via bandar abbas, tehran , bandar anzali. objective of study identify , address key bottlenecks. results showed transport costs reduced $2,500 per 15 tons of cargo . other routes under consideration include via armenia, kazakhstan , turkmenistan.

cooperation in cultural sphere

statue of afanasy nikitin in tver celebrating famous journey india



nicholas roerich jawaharlal nehru , indira gandhi.



russian president dmitry medvedev visiting film set of yash raj studios meeting bollywood stars shah rukh khan, yash chopra , kareena kapoor



russian president dmitry medvedev making speech @ closing ceremony of year of russia in india in 2008.

indo–russian relations in field of culture historical. 1 of first russian visitors india afanasiy nikitin merchant tver in russia. famous journey (1466-1472) documented in book journey beyond 3 seas. nikitin spent 3 years in india (1469-1472) travelling many regions , documenting people, culture, economy, technology, history, society , food. nikitin s journey portrayed soviet actor oleg strizhenov alongside hindi screen legend nargis dutt in 1950s film journey beyond 3 seas.

astrakhan in russia has historically been trading centre indian merchants since 16th century. in 1722 peter great met anbu-ram leader of indians merchants in astrakhan. in meeting peter great agreed anbu-ram s request full free trade including transit rights.

the first russian translation of bhagavad gita published in 1788 decree on orders of catherine great. russian pioneers travelled india , studied indian culture include gerasim lebedev studied ancient indian languages in 1780s , later nicholas roerich studied indian philosophy. roerich influenced philosophy of ramakrishna , vivekananda, poetry of rabindranath tagore, , bhagavad gita. 130th birth anniversary of nicholas roerich , 100th birth anniversary of svetoslav roerich celebrated in india in october 2004.

leading russian indiologist such ivan minayev, sergey oldenburg, fyodor shcherbatskoy, yuri knorozov, alexandr kondratov, nikita gurov , eugene chelyshev focused research in understanding indus script, sanskrit , indian literature.

traditionally, there has been strong collaboration in field of cinema between india , ussr. several generations of russians grew watching subtitled indian films (mainly bollywood) , vice versa indians watching russian films. popular indian films in ussr included awara, bobby, barood, mamta , disco dancer. recent contemporary films entirely shot in russia include lucky: no time love. however, after collapse of ussr bollywood s market share decreased in russia. recently, however, there has been increase due viewers having access through cable , satellite channels. russian deputy minister of culture, elena milovzorova, stated in interview indian-russian joint working group (jwg) discuss procedures allow both countries film industries collaborate in film production together. krasnodar region has been discussed among officials possible area shooting future bollywood films. former russian president dmitry medvedev know admirer of bollywood films visited film set of yash raj studios , met bollywood stars such shah rukh khan, yash chopra , kareena kapoor. stated in interview, our country 1 of places indian culture admired in addition stated, russia , india countries satellite channels broadcast indian movies 24/7.

yoga in russia has been growing , becoming increasingly popular since 1980s, particularly in majors cities , urban centres, due reputation health benefits. however, has roots earlier in russia during time of noted russian actor , trainer constantin stanislavski influenced yoga , indian philosophy.

russia s rossotrudnichestvo representative office (rro) established in 1965 has 5 russian centres of science , culture (rcsc) in india include new delhi, mumbai, kolkata, chennai , trivandrum. head of rro , director of rcsc, fyodor rozovsky, expects cultural ties grow between both countries. , other officials expects number of indian students studying in russia increase once both countries sign agreement on joint recognition of higher education diplomas. there hindi department, in university of moscow along 5 chairs relating indology in moscow, saint petersburg, kazan , vladivostok.

days of russian culture held in india in november 2003, in delhi, kolkata , mumbai. days of indian culture in russia organised september october 2005 in russia. chief minister of national capital territory of delhi led delegation participating in event days of delhi in moscow 28 may 1 june 2006. year of russia in india held in 2008. followed year of india in russia in 2009.

terrorism

on international terrorism, india , russia agree there no justification terrorism, , must fought against, without compromise , wherever exists. russia has supported indian draft @ un on comprehensive convention on international terrorism [ccit]. 2 sides signed mou on co-operation in combating terrorism in december 2002. joint working group on combating international terrorism meets time time , fourth meeting held in delhi on 24 october 2006. both russia , india have faced problem of terrorism, india has seen in context of military presence in kashmir , russia has seen in chechnya , both countries supportive of each other on issue of terrorism.