✍️ President of Russia Vladimir Putin signed the guestbook of the Raj Ghat memorial complex:

One of the founders of modern India, the great philosopher and humanist Mahatma Gandhi made an invaluable contribution to the cause of peace throughout the world. His ideas about freedom, virtue, and compassion remain relevant to this day.

In many respects, Mahatma Gandhi anticipated the new, more just multipolar world order that is now taking shape. In his letters to Leo Tolstoy, he extensively reflected on the future of a world free from diktat and hegemony, founded on the principles of equality, mutual respect, and cooperation among nations. These are the very principles and values that Russia and India jointly uphold on the international stage today.

New Delhi, December 5, 2025

🇷🇺🇮🇳 #RussiaIndia #DruzhbaDosti

🇷🇺🇮🇳 Statement by President Vladimir Putin for the press following the Russia-India talks (New Delhi, December 5, 2025)

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💬 Vladimir Putin: The talks with our Indian colleagues that have just concluded, as well as our conversation yesterday evening with Prime Minister Modi in a tête-à-tête format at his home over dinner – and I want once again to thank you for this gesture of hospitality – were highly useful. They took place in a constructive and friendly atmosphere, in the spirit of the Russia-India special and privileged strategic partnership.

I would note that Mr Prime Minister and I have established close working and personal contacts. We met earlier this year in September at the SCO Summit, we regularly hold telephone conversations, and we keep the development of Russia-India cooperation in all its strategic dimensions, as well as the implementation of key bilateral projects, under our constant personal oversight.

Today, together with our delegations, we conducted an in-depth review of our multifaceted Russia-India partnership and discussed pressing global and regional issues.

In the Joint Statement adopted by Prime Minister Modi and myself, priority tasks were set for further strengthening our ties in politics and security, the economy and trade, and in the humanitarian and cultural spheres. A substantial package of intergovernmental, interagency and corporate agreements was also signed.

Many of the said documents are aimed at expanding the economic cooperation between Russia and India. This is entirely natural, given that our countries are important partners to one another in trade, investment and technology. Last year, bilateral trade increased by another 12%, reaching yet another all-time high. Different statistical sources show slightly different figures, but overall the volume stands at around USD 64-65 billion. It is expected that by the end of this year the trade turnover will remain roughly at the same level.

At the same time, it seems entirely within our reach to bring this figure to USD 100 billion. To achieve this important goal, we have agreed the Programme for the Development of Russia-India Economic Cooperation until 2030. <...>

I would also like to emphasize with satisfaction that our countries are steadily moving to national currencies in bilateral trade. Their share in commercial transactions already stands at 96%.

Our partnership in the energy sector is developing successfully. Russia is a reliable supplier of energy resources and everything necessary for the development of India’s energy sector. We are ready to continue ensuring uninterrupted fuel supplies for India’s fast-growing economy. <...>

In reviewing key global and regional issues, we confirmed the convergence of our positions. Both Russia and India conduct an independent and sovereign foreign policy.

Together with our like-minded partners in #BRICS, #SCO and across the broader Global Majority, we are advancing the formation of a more just and democratic multipolar world order and upholding the fundamental principles of international law enshrined in the UN Charter. These include the right of every state to its own path of development and the preservation of its cultural and civilisational identity, respect for sovereignty, and a balanced consideration of the interests of all members of the international community.

I would also like to note that Russia and India have traditionally maintained close cooperation in the military-technical sphere. For more than half a century, our country has assisted in equipping and modernizing the Indian Armed Forces – including air defence, aviation and the navy.