- 22nd Inter-Governmental Defence Commission reaffirms trust and long-term military cooperation
- Russia commits support for India’s self-reliance in defence manufacturing
- Bilateral talks expand to fisheries, dairy and animal husbandry trade opportunities
- India seeks collaboration in deep-sea fishing, aquaculture technologies and export clearances
- 23rd India–Russia Annual Summit set to reinforce ‘Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership’
NE NEWS SERVICE
NEW DELHI, DEC 4
India and Russia strengthened their multi-sectoral strategic partnership on Wednesday through two high-level engagements—one in defence and the other in fisheries, dairy and animal husbandry—held ahead of the 23rd India–Russia Annual Summit.
Defence Ministers Co-Chair 22nd Inter-Governmental Commission
The Defence Minister of India Rajnath Singh and Russia’s Defence Minister Andrei Belousov co-chaired the 22nd session of the India–Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military and Military Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-M&MTC) in New Delhi. Both sides reiterated that the partnership rests on deep trust, shared principles and longstanding mutual respect.
The Defence Minister emphasised India’s goal of strengthening indigenous defence manufacturing under Aatmanirbhar Bharat, adding that new opportunities exist for cooperation in niche and emerging technologies.
Belousov underlined that India and Russia are bound by decades of strategic friendship and affirmed that the Russian defence industry is ready to support India’s journey towards self-reliance. He also invited the Indian Defence Minister to co-chair the next session of the Commission in Russia in 2026.
The meeting concluded with the signing of the official protocol outlining ongoing and future areas of defence collaboration. Before the meeting, both ministers laid a wreath at the National War Memorial and the visiting Russian minister inspected the ceremonial tri-service Guard of Honour.
India–Russia Boost Cooperation in Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairy Trade
On the sidelines of the Summit, the Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying held a bilateral meeting with Oxana Lut, Minister of Agriculture of the Russian Federation. Discussions focused on expanding trade in fisheries, dairy and meat products; resolving market access challenges; and accelerating establishment listings for exports.
India highlighted that fish and fishery exports touched USD 7.45 billion in 2024–25, of which USD 127 million were to Russia, and sought diversification into shrimp, prawns, tuna, mackerel, sardines, crab, squid and cuttlefish.
Russia expressed readiness to increase imports from India, showing special interest in joint projects for trout development and broader engagement in aquaculture and meat products.
India also requested expedited listing of pending fisheries establishments on the FSVPS platform, early approvals for dairy, buffalo meat and poultry exports, and specifically sought registration of 12 dairy companies including AMUL/GCMMF.
The two delegations explored cooperation in deep-sea fishing vessels, Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS), Biofloc, on-board processing, value addition, genetic improvement and cold-water fisheries. Both sides agreed that collaborative research, student exchange and joint innovation would strengthen food security and mutual growth.
India proposed a structured mechanism through a Memorandum of Understanding and urged early finalisation of the draft shared with Russia.
Lut affirmed Russia’s readiness for deeper partnerships in veterinary vaccine development, equipment manufacturing, animal disease management and joint academic programmes.
The meeting concluded with optimism that India–Russia cooperation across defence and agricultural sectors will advance the strategic goals set by the Prime Minister of India and the Russian President.
