New Delhi, December 5, 2025 – Agriculture ministers from India and Russia convened in New Delhi on Thursday, December 4, 2025, reaffirming their commitment to strengthen cooperation in the agricultural sector. The meeting, held between Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Russian Agriculture Minister Oxana Lut, served as a platform to discuss ongoing collaborations and outline future areas of partnership between the two nations.
Both ministers acknowledged the strong foundation of trust, friendship, and mutual cooperation that underpins the relationship between India and Russia. Discussions revolved around measures to expand agricultural trade, promote modern farming techniques, and facilitate collaboration in innovation, research exchange, and sustainable agricultural growth.
Shri Chouhan highlighted the growing bilateral agricultural trade, which currently stands at approximately USD 3.5 billion, and emphasized the need for a more balanced trade relationship. He expressed gratitude to Russia for resolving long-pending issues related to the export of Indian potatoes, pomegranates, and seeds. Possibilities for increasing exports of food grains and horticulture products from India were also explored.
During the meeting, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the Federal Center for Animal Health of Russia. This MoU aims to strengthen cooperation in agricultural research, innovation, and capacity building.
Shri Chouhan extended an invitation to the Russian side to participate in the BRICS Agriculture Ministers' Meeting, which India is scheduled to host next year. Both countries agreed to deepen cooperation in agricultural trade, fertilizers, seeds, market access, and joint research, reaffirming their commitment to advancing innovation and benefiting farmers in both nations. Ms. Lut expressed keen interest in increasing trade and strengthening cooperation in the agriculture sector.
The ministers outlined a shared vision centered on farmer-centric technology, scalable innovation, and shared economic progress across the rural economy. The dialogue highlighted India's efforts to upgrade its agricultural capabilities through partnerships that bring advanced know-how and global best practices. For Moscow, deeper agri-collaboration with India aligns with its strategy to diversify external economic partnerships amid shifting geopolitical dynamics.
Parallel to the agriculture-focused talks, India's Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal engaged with Russian Economic Development Minister Maxim Reshetnikov to review cooperation in sectors including food and agriculture, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and automobiles. The conversation reinforced the broader economic momentum between the two countries and the intent to unlock untapped potential across multiple value chains.
The ministerial engagements coincided with Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to New Delhi, signaling renewed strategic depth in the bilateral relationship. The discussions reflected a widening strategic arc between the two nations, with agriculture emerging as a central pillar of their evolving economic engagement.
