Russia Reaffirms Strong Strategic Partnership with India, Emphasizes Trust and Mutual Respect
Russian Consul General Ivan Fetisov has reaffirmed the enduring strength of bilateral relations between India and Russia, describing the partnership as one built on a foundation of trust and mutual respect. Speaking exclusively to PTI Videos during the International Business Conclave at Advantage Vidarbha 2026 in Nagpur, Fetisov emphasized that Moscow remains open to constructive cooperation with all nations willing to engage positively.
Broad-Based Engagement Across Multiple Sectors
Fetisov detailed that Russia's engagement with India spans numerous critical sectors, demonstrating the comprehensive nature of their strategic partnership. "We have a lot of spheres of communication, but we need to do more and more every day. So we have great opportunities to become stronger," he stated, highlighting the ongoing commitment to deepening ties.
Regarding India's expanding diplomatic and economic relationships with other countries, particularly the United States, Fetisov expressed clear respect for New Delhi's sovereign foreign policy decisions. "We are open to cooperating with any country that wants to cooperate with Russia. If India wants to cooperate with the US, Kazakhstan or Brazil, it depends only on India," he remarked, underscoring Russia's non-interference stance.
Nuclear Energy as a Key Pillar of Cooperation
The Russian diplomat identified nuclear power as a particularly significant area of bilateral collaboration, especially given India's recent initiatives to open up its nuclear energy sector. Fetisov highlighted Russia's advanced technological capabilities through its state corporation Rosatom, which is renowned globally for its expertise.
"Yes, nuclear energy is a very important sphere of communication and cooperation. We have excellent projects in Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). What is more important is that we can share our technologies, not just sell or buy them. We can work together in this sphere and gain good results," Fetisov elaborated, pointing to mutual benefits beyond mere transactional exchanges.
Reference to High-Level Diplomatic Enthusiasm
Fetisov recalled the positive momentum observed during the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin in September of the previous year, describing the interaction with notable enthusiasm. "I repeat that we have a strong relationship with India," he asserted, reinforcing the continuity of high-level diplomatic engagement.
When questioned about recent claims by US President Donald Trump regarding India's purported decision to halt purchases of Russian oil, Fetisov advised referring to official statements from the Russian government for accurate information. "You need to read the statements of our Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Russian President," he responded, directing attention to authoritative sources.
Advantage Vidarbha Platform for Enhanced Cooperation
Fetisov expressed gratitude to the organizers of the Advantage Vidarbha event, noting that such platforms play a crucial role in facilitating deeper cooperation and engagement between the two nations. He mentioned productive discussions with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis regarding potential infrastructure projects, illustrating the practical outcomes of such forums.
"We had a good conversation with the chief minister today. We discussed some infrastructure projects. That is why such events are really important," he added, highlighting the tangible benefits of bilateral dialogues.
In conclusion, Fetisov's remarks underscore a resilient and multifaceted India-Russia relationship that continues to evolve, with both nations committed to exploring new avenues of collaboration while maintaining mutual respect for each other's independent strategic choices on the global stage.
