🇷🇺🇮🇳 Interview of the Consul General of Russia in Chennai Valerii Khodzhaev to Thanthi TV on the state visit of the Russian President Vladimir Putin to India.

👉 https://youtu.be/mutwr3Iw2bA?si=vZLrZtMQlI-NPyhF (December 5, 2025)

#RussiaIndia
#DruzhbaDosti

🇷🇺🇮🇳 President of Russia Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi took part in the plenary session of the Russia-India Business Forum co-organised by the Roscongress Foundation and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) (New Delhi, December 5, 2025)

💬 Vladimir Putin: Mr Prime Minister, friends,

I am delighted to welcome the participants of the Russia-India Business Forum plenary session.

These days, New Delhi is hosting representatives from our economic ministries and departments, the heads of our largest companies, banks and regions, as well as members of parliament — that is, all those who are engaged in practical efforts to promote multifaceted Russian-Indian cooperation in imports and exports, finance and investments.

As I understand it, you have discussed a broad range of specific issues related to economic interaction between Russia and India during your numerous panel sessions and expert discussions. But the main achievement is that new business contacts have been established at the forum, talks have begun on future commercial deals, and forward-looking mutually beneficial projects have been launched. <...>

Mr Prime Minister has pointed out many times during our private conversations that India has vast and growing opportunities in many spheres, but they are not being used as both sides would like them to be used. In fact, this is what this forum is about.

To tell the truth, this forum is devoted to the possibilities of the Indian economy and aims to inform our economic operators about these opportunities, so that we can open up our markets to mutual satisfaction and mutual development. All this has fundamental significance because strong and diversified ties between Russian and Indian businesses are among the most powerful pillars of the privileged strategic partnership between our countries.

🤝 Russia and India are indeed long-time, close trading partners. Trade continues to grow steadily, with the dynamics hitting record highs of up to 80% over the past three years. Last year, the volume of Russian-Indian trade reached US$64 billion. <...>

To reiterate, under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, India is pursuing an entirely independent sovereign policy and is achieving very good results in the economy. The Indian economy is one of the world’s fastest growing economies.

<...> Russian businesses and companies are willing to multiply imports of Indian goods and services. Friends, we welcome this, as it helps make our economy more resilient.

Your forum clearly showed that Indian entrepreneurs are genuinely interested in trading with Russia as well. They have much to offer. The synergy is obvious. Therefore, it makes good economic sense to prioritise projects to increase Indian imports to Russia as part of the new export support programme recently adopted by Mr Modi’s government. <...>

A positive effect in this regard would likely stem from the prompt conclusion of a preferential trade agreement between India and the Eurasian Economic Union. Free trade cannot exist without a stable system of bilateral settlements and reliable payment and insurance mechanisms. <...>

We are ready for broad partnership with India in the field of #AI, where both our countries have their own advanced achievements. Russia is interested in taking part in the AI summit planned for February 2026 in India, as I have just mentioned to the Prime Minister. We will send a representative delegation to this event.

In conclusion, I would like to once again emphasise the continued strengthening of Russian-Indian trade and investment ties and the close cooperation between our business communities.

All of this truly contributes to economic growth and development, improving the wellbeing of our citizens, and therefore fully corresponds to the fundamental interests of our countries and our peoples.

I wish the forum participants and organisers every success and all the best.

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