This was not the first time that Moscow has stood by India during a global crisis.

The India-Soviet Union/Russia partnership has been unscathed by various global upheavals. Today, it spans various sectors – most importantly, defence, and the rapidly evolving digital collaboration. 

This partnership did not materialise overnight. 

Since the 1950s, the partnership between New Delhi and Moscow has been a constant factor in geopolitics. In fact, it was shaped by geopolitical turmoils and uncertainty. 

Defence Ties

For years, it was defined by defence ties – specifically, joint defence production (a unique initiative that produced a state-of-the-art BrahMos missile through the transfer of technology from Russia). In recent years, the Russian supplies of crude, LNG, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), fertilizers, and coal strengthened the ties. 

The depth of India-Russia ties is unlike any other. From battlefields to kitchens, the scope of the time-tested ties spans the entire spectrum of geopolitical, defence, and economic collaboration.

Moreover, an ambitious bilateral trade target for 2030 was surpassed last year. Trade and investment are the cornerstones of diversifying ties to harness the untapped potential in the historic partnership.

India-Russia Annual Summit

It is for no reason that the India-Russia Annual Summit (December 2025) issued a Programme for the Development of Strategic Areas of India-Russia Economic Cooperation till 2030. The aim is to increase India’s exports to Russia, strengthen industrial cooperation, and forge new technological and investment partnerships, especially in advanced high-technology areas.

Energy is a key pillar of the special and privileged strategic partnership, with leaders of both countries taking note of the potential for enhanced cooperation in oil and oil products, oil refining and petrochemical technologies, oilfield services, upstream technologies and related infrastructure, LNG- and LPG-related infrastructure, besides underground coal gasification (UCG) technology. 

Trade In National Currencies

Furthermore, Russia and India have agreed to continue jointly developing systems of bilateral settlements through national currencies. Over 90% of trade is carried out in national currencies. It has also been agreed upon to continue their consultations on enabling the interoperability of the national payment systems, financial messaging systems, and the central bank digital currency platforms.

It has been decided to ramp up government-to-government, academia and private sector collaboration to promote the application of critical and emerging technologies, and strengthen cooperation under the "Roadmap for Science, Technology & Innovation Cooperation”.

It has also been agreed to facilitate collaboration between the government and the private sector to harness opportunities for startups and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to address societal challenges.

Support To Startups

There is a strong interest in further developing cooperation in the sphere of digital technologies, including those related to information protection, security of critical infrastructure and law enforcement.

Both countries have agreed to design and implement soft support programs for startups to enable knowledge exchange, capacity-building, and greater engagement of innovators and entrepreneurs.

AI-Driven Systems

India and Russia aim to foster scientific and industrial collaboration, specifically focusing on building artificial intelligence (AI)-driven systems and transferring Russian technology to India, particularly within the mid-market segment. The India-Russia Innopraktika partnership establishes a technology hub and engineering centre focused on AI-driven cyber-physical systems, AI ethics, and advanced UAV/satellite laboratory development. 

Recognising the strategic importance of critical minerals for emerging technologies and advanced manufacturing, there is an interest in deepening cooperation in exploration, processing and recycling technologies of critical minerals and rare earths.

Russia has one of the biggest deposits of critical minerals and rare earths.

Emerging Sectors

It is now imperative to develop the free trade agreements on goods between India and the Eurasian Economic Union, covering sectors of mutual interest. The two countries must step up negotiations on a mutually beneficial agreement on the promotion and protection of investments.

The economic dimension to the India-Russia ties, along with emerging cooperation in technology, is giving momentum for high-stakes cooperation for the next few decades. The India-Russia partnership has weathered many storms. Most of all, the partnership has stood the test of time; that too, in the most trying circumstances. A friend in need is a friend indeed. India must keep this tried-and-true partnership in good spirits. Temporary friendship cannot replace a permanent friendship.

(The writer is a commentator on geopolitics and geoeconomics. Views expressed are personal.)