Putin discusses energy, nuclear cooperation, and fertilizers with Indian foreign minister

Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar at the Kremlin, expressing readiness to deepen cooperation in key sectors including energy, nuclear power, and fertilizers. Putin highlighted the positive trend in bilateral trade, noting its increase this year after a previous decline.

"I am pleased to note that trade volume has increased this year. If last year it fell, this year it is increasing," Putin remarked at the start of the meeting, which also included Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. He emphasized that bilateral cooperation extends beyond hydrocarbons, with Moscow expanding fertilizer supplies to India, which saw a 41% increase in Russian fertilizer imports in 2025.

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I am pleased to note that trade volume has increased this year. If last year it fell, this year it is increasing.

Putin conveyed his best wishes to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whom he is expected to meet within a week at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Kyrgyzstan. Jaishankar presented Putin with a message from Modi and briefed him on the outcomes of an intergovernmental commission meeting held earlier that day. "I would like to emphasize that our economic cooperation has grown remarkably," Jaishankar stated.

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I would like to emphasize that our economic cooperation has grown remarkably.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, speaking at the commission meeting, confirmed active negotiations for a free trade agreement between India and the Eurasian Economic Union, led by Moscow. He prioritized cooperation in energy security, encompassing not only oil and coal supplies but also investment projects in hydrocarbon extraction and processing. Manturov estimated an 8% increase in bilateral trade and highlighted efforts to diversify exchanges in sectors like agriculture, machinery, metallurgy, and timber.

Discussions also covered space cooperation, rocket construction, satellite navigation, and utilizing the Arctic route for cargo transport as an alternative to the Suez Canal. Manturov further mentioned the possibility of transferring nuclear fuel production to India, India's interest in Russian SJ-100 and Il-114-300 aircraft, and the upcoming presentation of a Russian-Indian prototype high-speed electric train, the Vande Bharat. The Indian minister stated the goal is to reach $100 billion in bilateral trade by 2030, up from $60 billion last year.

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We prioritize cooperation in energy security. This refers not only to supplies of oil, petroleum products and coal, but also to investment projects for the extraction and processing of hydrocarbons.