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

Read in full

💬 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.

Chess Diplomacy in Russian Houses

On December 4, in the Russian Houses across India, the opening of the Sergei Karjakin Chess Clubs took place. The project is being implemented as part of the "Chess Diplomacy in Russian Houses" program.

Russian House in Kolkata invited young players of Alekhine Chess Club and the Knight Chess Academy to participate in the online meeting with the Russian grandmaster and a politician Sergei Karjakin, who addressed them from New Delhi.

The grandmaster took part in the opening ceremony, where he noted that Russian and Indian chess schools are among the strongest in the world, and the opening of such clubs in Russian houses helps to strengthen cooperation in this area.

The Russian chess player held a simultaneous game session. Karjakin noted that the course of the game pleasantly surprised him, and Indian chess players are really great professionals.

Arpitangshi Bhattacharya, National Joint Champion of 2024 in the Under-7 category, FIDE 1428, took part in the game in Kolkata.

Along with Kolkata, game sessions took place at Russian Houses in Mumbai, Chennai and New Delhi.
___

Шахматная дипломатия в Русских домах

4 декабря в Русских домах по всей Индии состоялось открытие шахматных клубов имени Сергея Карякина. Проект реализуется в рамках программы «Шахматная дипломатия в Русских домах».

Русский дом в Калькутте пригласил юных шахматистов Шахматного клуба имени Алехина и Шахматной академии «Конь» на онлайн-встречу с российским гроссмейстером и политиком Сергеем Карякиным, который обратился к ним из Нью-Дели.

Гроссмейстер принял участие в церемонии открытия, где отметил, что российская и индийская шахматные школы являются одними из сильнейших в мире, а открытие подобных клубов в Русских домах способствует укреплению сотрудничества в этой области.

Российский шахматист провёл сеанс одновременной игры. Карякин отметил, что ход партии его приятно удивил, а индийские шахматисты — действительно большие профессионалы.

Чемпион Индии 2024 года в категории до 7 лет Арпитангши Бхаттачарья приняла участие игре в Калькутте.

Помимо Калькутты, сеансы игры прошли в Русских домах в Мумбаи, Ченнаи и Нью-Дели.

#Russia #India #Chess #SergeiKarjakin #Karyakin #СергейКарякин #Rossotrudnichestvo #Kolkata