Putin Highlights Growth in Russia-India Trade Amid Energy and Fertilizer Ties

Speaking at a meeting with Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in Moscow, Putin said the two countries have maintained strong relations for decades, with cooperation continuing to expand across multiple sectors.

“Last year it declined slightly, but this year it is growing,” he said, attributing the increase in part to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s personal attention to the development of Russian-Indian ties.

The Russian president said Moscow is working to increase fertilizer supplies to India and its agricultural sector, while continuing cooperation in nuclear energy and high-tech industries.

Putin said he expects to meet Modi at an upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit and that the two leaders could meet again later this year.

Jaishankar conveyed a message from Modi, saying the Indian prime minister is looking forward to the meeting. He added that Modi hopes Putin will attend an upcoming summit of BRICS – a bloc formed with the backbone of India, Russia, India, China, and South Africa – and participate in its annual meeting.

Jaishankar also said economic cooperation between the two countries has grown significantly.

“We have, indeed, strong, solid bilateral cooperation,” Jaishankar said.

Separately, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held a meeting with Jaishankar to discuss international developments.

During the talks, the top diplomats reviewed their views on the situation in Afghanistan, Iran, and Ukraine, according to a Russian Foreign Ministry statement.

Lavrov and Jaishankar also noted their mutual commitment to maintaining close coordination of their positions in the United Nations, Shanghai Cooperation Organization, BRICS, and the G20, agreeing to strengthen trusting dialogue at all levels.