India and Russia continue to strengthen their longstanding political partnership through sustained high-level engagements, reaffirming the special and privileged strategic relationship that has guided bilateral ties for over two decades.
Political cooperation remains the strongest pillar of the India–Russia partnership, anchored by the Annual Summit between the Prime Minister of India and the President of the Russian Federation—the highest institutional mechanism between the two nations. A total of 22 Annual Summits have been held so far, with the most recent one taking place in Moscow on July 8–9, 2024. The meeting resulted in two major joint statements outlining a vision for an expanded partnership and enhanced economic cooperation up to 2030. During the visit, the Russian Federation conferred its highest state honour—the Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle the First-Called—on the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reflecting the deep mutual respect between the two countries.
The political dialogue has remained active throughout the year. The two leaders also met on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Kazan in October 2024, and have held regular telephone conversations, the latest being in May 2025. Ministerial-level interactions have been equally robust, with the External Affairs Minister and Russian Foreign Minister meeting frequently on international platforms, including most recently on February 20, 2025, in Johannesburg.
India and Russia continue to coordinate closely on global issues and strategic matters. The 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue, held for the first time in 2021, has added new momentum to political and security cooperation. Senior officials from both sides have also met under various bilateral mechanisms, including the Foreign Office Consultations held in Moscow in March 2025.
Parliamentary exchanges form an important component of the political relationship. In February 2025, the Chairman of the Russian State Duma, Vyacheslav Volodin, visited India and held extensive interactions with the President, Vice President, and the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. The Indian side also participated actively in the BRICS Parliamentary Forum held in Saint Petersburg in July 2024.
Looking ahead, at the invitation of PM Modi, President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin is scheduled to pay a State visit to India from 04–05 December for the 23rd India–Russia Annual Summit. During the visit, President Putin will hold bilateral talks with PM Modi, and President Draupadi Murmu will host him and a banquet in his honour. The forthcoming State Visit will provide an opportunity for the leadership of India and Russia to review progress in bilateral relations, set the vision for strengthening the ‘Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership’ and exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.
