Putin India Visit: It would be an understatement to call the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin held at Hyderabad House in the country’s capital Delhi as just a diplomatic event. The way the entire day of Friday was filled with continuous agreements, press briefings, business announcements and new roadmaps, it made it clear that India-Russia relations are at a turning point. On every front from jobs to trade, energy to technology, connectivity to diplomacy, both the countries took such decisions which can truly be called ‘Deal of the Decade’.
The biggest change was seen when the Manpower Mobility Agreement was signed. This means new doors to jobs and skill-based opportunities in Russia for Indian workers. Along with this, Modi government declared 30 days free visa for Russian citizens. At the same time, both the countries decided that to make business easier, payment in national currency will be carried forward rapidly. These decisions made the message clear that India-Russia partnership is going to become even more effective in the coming decade.
Why is there a ‘big push’ in India-Russia relations?
At the beginning of the meeting, PM Modi welcomed President Putin in Russian. This was not just a protocol, but a sign of the trust that has kept the relations between the two countries strong for decades. Modi said that as much as the world is going through uncertainties, India-Russia relations remain as strong as the North Star. Both the leaders also finalized the big economic roadmap of 2030. This includes expansion plans in sectors like trade, investment, logistics, new technology, energy and connectivity.
What major decisions were taken?
PM Modi and President Putin made several important agreements and announcements in the joint press briefing:
- Manpower Mobility Agreement for Indian workers.
- 30 days free visa for Russians.
- 2 important agreements in the health sector: Medical cooperation, training, technology partnership.
- Joint urea production in agro-fertilizer sector.
- Assurance of uninterrupted fuel supply in the energy sector.
- Trade between the two countries in national currency intensifies.
- Progress on the European-Eurasian Free Trade Agreement.
- Cooperation in ship building – big boost to ‘Make in India’.
Manpower Mobility Agreement in India-Russia meeting. (Photo AP)
How will the future of Indians change?
The Manpower Mobility Agreement was the biggest attraction of this visit. Under this, work opportunities for Indian skilled and semi-skilled workers in Russia will increase rapidly. This agreement will ease rules between companies and establish India as a reliable workforce source.
On the other hand, 30 days free visa for Russians will rapidly increase tourism, student exchange, medical tourism and business visits between the two countries. This is the first time that such a big concession has been given to the Russians.
India-Russia Business Forum: An explosion of new opportunities
Modi and Putin will soon attend the India-Russia Business Forum, where the focus will be on connecting the industries of the two countries. There will be special emphasis on fertilizer, agriculture, shipbuilding, energy and tech sectors. This will provide an opportunity to Indian MSMEs, tech startups and manufacturing companies to directly connect with the Russian market.
Energy security: Russia’s big confidence
President Putin clearly said that ‘Russia is fully ready for uninterrupted supply of fuel to India and cooperation between the two countries is continuously increasing in this direction.’ Meaning, Russia’s commitment in meeting India’s energy needs has become stronger. Cooperation will also increase in nuclear power plant projects.
30 days free visa, energy cooperation. (Photo AP)
Glimpse of India-Russia agreements
| Sector | main announcement | bearing |
| manpower | Mobility Agreement for Indian Workers | Job and skill opportunities will increase in Russia |
| Visa | 30 days free visa for Russians | Tourism, education and business fast |
| energy | continuous fuel supply | India’s energy security strong |
| trade | transactions in national currency | Less dollar dependency, faster business |
| agricultural fertilizer | combined urea production | Food security and strengthening the supply chain |
| Health | 2 big medical agreements | Improvement in tech, training and health infra |
Putin’s 5 big messages
- India-Russia can achieve $100 billion trade target by 2030.
- Both countries are moving rapidly towards national currency trade.
- Energy cooperation is Russia’s top priority.
- Industry and technology cooperation will increase under Make in India.
- Russia will support India’s chairmanship in BRICS.
What next?
This new chapter of India-Russia relations is starting at a time when the world is going through rapid changes. 30 days free visa, job opportunities for Indians in Russia, trading in national currency and economic roadmap to 2030. All of them together decide that this partnership will decide the strategic direction of Asia-Eurasia in the coming decade.
What will change with the India-Russia agreement? Benefits at a glance
The new agreements between India and Russia are not just formal cooperation, but steps that decide the economic and strategic direction of the coming decade. Under the Economic Cooperation Program 2030, both the countries together have set a target of reaching trade and investment up to 100 billion dollars. With this, while India’s exports will increase rapidly, Russia will get a big and stable market in Asia.
The migration and mobility agreement will prove to be directly beneficial for the people of both the countries. This agreement will simplify the process of work, travel and migration between Indian and Russian citizens. New employment opportunities will open up in Russia for the youth of India, while Russia will get skilled and trained workers in the form of Indian workforce.
The cooperation in the health sector is also being considered historic. (Photo Reuters)
The cooperation in the health sector is also being considered historic. Under the Healthcare, Medical Education and Science Partnership, India will benefit from advanced medical technology, new research models and training. Whereas Russia will get easy access to India’s reliable and affordable generic medicines. This makes both the countries necessary and complementary to each other in the health sector.
Both the countries have also largely agreed on maritime trade. Through the Shipping and Port Sector MoU, new transport corridors will be developed through shipping, port development and polar waters. This will make India’s maritime trade faster, cheaper and more effective, while Russia will get a new, sustainable and long-term source of earnings through logistics and shipping.
