India-Russia friendship stays regular just like the pole star, says PM

Appreciating Russian President Vladimir Putin for taking the India-Russia relationship to “new heights” over the previous quarter of a century, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid out an expansive canvas of vitality and commerce collaborations between the 2 nations, stretching to 2030. Addressing the media after bilateral talks at Hyderabad Home on Friday (December 5, 2025), Mr. Modi described the India-Russia friendship as a “guiding star” and referred to as for a peaceable resolution to Russia’s struggle with Ukraine.

“Over the previous eight a long time, the world has witnessed many ups and downs. Humanity has confronted quite a few challenges and crises. But, by way of all of this, the India-Russia friendship has remained regular like a dhruva tara (guiding star),” the Prime Minister stated.

International Secretary Vikram Misri expanded on the PM’s use of the Hindi time period ‘dhruva tara’ throughout a later briefing, saying it referred to the “sustained and long run significance of this relation.” Highlighting the “sustainability and certainty” of India-Russia ties, Mr. Misri added, “This relationship is a continuing. There have been a number of crises alongside the way in which however they haven’t altered the basics of this relationship.”

‘Pushing for peace in Ukraine’

Mr. Putin’s go to has attracted world consideration because it comes months after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed punitive tariffs on India for buying Russian vitality. Mr. Trump described his transfer as a tactic to push Russia to the negotiating desk on Ukraine.

In his remarks, the Prime Minister referred to “vitality safety” as a “sturdy and very important pillar of the India-Russia partnership”. For the reason that starting of the battle in Ukraine, “India has constantly advocated for peace, on the subject of the state of affairs in Ukraine,” he added.

Forward of the press statements by Mr. Modi and Mr. Putin at Hyderabad Home, the Russian President’s particular envoy Kirill Dmitriev informed the Russian and Indian media that “British and European press goes hysterical making an attempt to disrupt the U.S.-Russia negotiation”. In an indirect reference to an article lately printed in an Indian newspaper that was collectively authored by the French, British, and German envoys to India, Mr. Dmitriev stated, “We all know the British empire doesn’t exist any extra however makes an attempt to disrupt [the Russia-U.S.] peace negotiation by way of using the media continues to be persevering with.”

Mr. Modi, who has referred to as for peace on a number of events for the reason that starting of the Ukraine battle in February 2022, reiterated the Indian place. “We welcome all efforts being made for a peaceable and lasting decision on this matter. India has all the time been, and can all the time be able to contribute,” he stated.

Nuclear vitality cooperation

Referring to the Kudankulam energy plant because the “largest nuclear reactor of India”, Mr. Putin introduced that Russia can be keen to collaborate with India for small modular nuclear reactors.

“Our decades-old cooperation within the discipline of civil nuclear vitality has performed an vital function in advancing our shared clear vitality priorities. We’ll proceed to take this win-win cooperation ahead,” the Prime Minister stated, mentioning the Chennai-Vladivostok transport hall as a undertaking that’s being nurtured collectively.

The India-Russia joint assertion additionally made an in depth reference to vitality safety, noting “the present and potential cooperation between Indian and Russian corporations in fields comparable to oil and oil merchandise, oil refining and petrochemical applied sciences, oilfield providers and upstream applied sciences and associated infrastructure.” Either side have additionally agreed to resolve the challenges confronted by their “traders within the vitality sector”.

Rising commerce, free visas

Mr. Putin emphasised the business facet of India-Russia relations. Throughout 2024-25, India-Russia commerce has touched $64 billion, he stated. “We’re on monitor to the touch $100 billion by 2030. We’re at present in dialogue for a Free Commerce Settlement between India and the Eurasian Financial Union and new efficient worldwide transport hall that can join Belarus and Russia with the Indian Ocean coast,” he stated.

The Russian President described India and Russia as nations that each comply with an “unbiased international coverage” that requires a “extra simply, democratic multipolar world order and respect for sovereignty”.

The 2 sides additionally introduced a programme for the event of strategic areas of India-Russia financial cooperation until 2030. To reinforce people-to-people and business contacts, the Prime Minister introduced the grant of 30 days e-tourist visas “on free of charge foundation” to Russian nationals on reciprocal foundation, and the grant of group vacationer visa on free of charge foundation to Russian nationals as properly.

The 2 sides signed sixteen MoUs protecting areas such because the mobility of semi-skilled staff, fertilizers, media, and educational collaboration. Marking a brand new flip in media collaboration, Mr. Putin attended a particular occasion right here to launch the Indian version of the Russian state-owned English broadcaster, Russia As we speak. The channel’s Indian model can be its second worldwide foray after an earlier Arabic version.