India-Russia relations: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov Monday described India-Russia relations as one built upon a “time-tested friendship”, and said that Moscow was “looking forward” to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Russia later this year.
What did Lavrov say about India-Russia relations?
Addressing 2nd International Conference “Russia and India: Towards a New Agenda for Bilateral Relations” via video, Lavrov highlighted the enduring nature of India-Russia relations, and said Moscow is eager to welcome PM Modi to Russia.
“We look forward to welcoming Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Russia in 2026,” Lavrov said, stressing that India-Russia relations are built upon a “time-tested friendship” that “stands as a model of how interstate relations should be built – on equality, mutual trust and respect, and due regard for each other’s interests.”
According to Moscow’s top diplomat, the diplomatic groundwork for PM Modi’s proposed Russia visit was laid during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s trip to India in late 2025.
“Following President Vladimir Putin’s visit to New Delhi in December 2025, the alignment of Russia’s and India’s strategic objectives was reaffirmed, and a substantial package of documents, including policy documents, was signed,” he said.
India-Russia to boost bilateral trade to $100 billion by 2030
Lavrov emphasized the growing trade and economic ties between Moscow and New Delhi, noting that bilateral trade between the two countries reached $60 billion in 2025, and “our leaders have reaffirmed the goal of reaching $100 billion by 2030”.
He said that India and Russia will “deepen cooperation in logistics, technology and investment, including through the development of the International North-South Transport Corridor and the Northern Sea Route” to reach the goal of $100 billion bilateral trade, while noting that 96 percent of trade is already being conducted in national currencies of the two countries.
PM Modi Russia visit in 2026
PM Modi’s visit to Russia will be his first to the country since he attended the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan in October 2024, which was preceded by a July 2024 two-day trip to the country, during which Moscow bestowed upon him the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle, Russia’s highest civilian honor.
In December 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in a India for a much-anticipated meeting, during which the two countries signed the “Vision 2030” document.
