At the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Russia is actively pursuing long-term economic cooperation plans with its key partners, with India taking center stage. He stated that the action plan for long-term cooperation with India until 2030 should be finalized soon, highlighting the strategic importance of this partnership for Russia.
Putin emphasized that Russia aims to strengthen its economic ties with countries outside the Western sphere of influence, and India is a pivotal player in this strategy. The Kremlin's engagement with New Delhi reflects Moscow's commitment to deepening strategic and economic cooperation, solidifying a multi-lateral alliance that has been actively pursued in recent years.
The long-term cooperation plan builds upon decades of collaboration between India and Russia, encompassing various sectors such as defense, nuclear energy, space technology, and trade. Both nations have maintained consistent engagement through bilateral and multilateral summits, reinforcing their commitment to mutual growth and innovation.
India's commitment to fostering strategic partnerships with Russia, particularly in technology-driven and infrastructure domains, aligns with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) and global digital transformation. This commitment was further exemplified by a recent visit from Indian officials to Russia, marking a significant step in reinforcing the longstanding India-Russia relationship and paving the way for mutual progress.
During the forum, India's advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its vision for ethical and inclusive technological growth were highlighted. The deepening economic ties between the two countries were also emphasized, with a focus on exploring new avenues for collaboration and investment cooperation. To achieve this, Russia intends to remove trade barriers, explore new market niches and build infrastructure.
The strategic cooperation plan with India is not an isolated case, as Russia is also pursuing similar agreements with other key partners, including China. Putin referenced the strategic cooperation plan with the People's Republic of China until 2030 as a successful example of such long-term collaboration.
The SPIEF 2025, often dubbed as 'Russian Davos', is centered around the theme "Shared Values: The Foundation of Growth in a Multipolar World." Putin's remarks underscore Russia's belief in the emergence of a new world order and the importance of fostering strong relationships with countries like India to navigate this evolving landscape.
