India has taken a significant step to strengthen its ties with Russia by announcing a free 30-day e-tourist visa and a 30-day group tourist visa for Russian citizens. Prime Minister Narendra Modi made the announcement during a joint press address with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“I am happy that very soon we are going to introduce a free 30-day e-tourist visa and a 30-day group tourist visa for Russian citizens,” PM Modi said.

The Prime Minister also highlighted that India–Russia cooperation is expanding into new domains, including maritime training in extreme climatic regions. Both countries will begin working together to train Indian seafarers for operations in polar waters. “Now we will also cooperate to train India’s seafarers for operations in polar waters.

This will not only strengthen our cooperation in the Arctic but also create new employment opportunities for India’s youth,” he said. PM Modi further underscored the enduring strength of India–Russia relations, calling the friendship between the two nations a “Dhruv Tara” (Pole Star) amid global turbulence. He noted long-standing cooperation in defence, energy, and trade, and highlighted emerging collaborations in shipbuilding, critical minerals, and the Make in India initiative.

On the sidelines of the 23rd India–Russia Annual Summit, the India–Russia Business Forum focused on translating the strategic partnership into concrete economic outcomes, with a shared goal of reaching USD 100 billion in bilateral trade by 2030.

The forum followed formal bilateral talks between PM Modi and President Putin at Hyderabad House, where both sides signed a crucial Economic Cooperation Agreement until 2030 and a Vision 2030 document. Bilateral trade currently stands at a record USD 68.7 billion in FY 2024–25.

PM Modi stressed that mutual confidence remains the cornerstone of the partnership, which has endured for decades.

“The world has witnessed many ups and downs in the last eight decades, but the friendship between India and Russia has remained steadfast like a pole star,” he said. “Mutual trust is the greatest strength of India–Russia relations.” The forum was tasked with identifying new avenues of growth beyond traditional defence and energy cooperation. PM Modi expressed confidence that the platform would pave the way for new opportunities in trade, investment, and joint ventures. “To increase economic cooperation between India and Russia is our priority, and for this, we have agreed on an economic cooperation program till 2030,” the Prime Minister said. He also noted that both countries are working toward an FTA with the Eurasian Economic Union.

Key Sectors Identified for Enhanced Cooperation include expanding Indian medicine supplies and localizing production in Russia,joint initiatives in advanced aircraft, space exploration, and artificial intelligence; continuation of Russia’s “uninterrupted” fuel shipments and cooperation in civil nuclear projects;agreement to facilitate manpower mobility, alongside the newly announced free 30-day e-tourist visa for Russians.

Addressing global challenges, Prime Minister Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to global peace and stability, reiterating the need for a peaceful and lasting resolution to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.