India and Russia are likely to sign a number of agreements during the upcoming visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit. According to an official in the External Affairs Ministry, agreements will be signed in areas related to trade, economy, healthcare, academics, culture and media. The focus during the visit will be on the ever-growing trade and economic ties between the two nations. Cooperation in defence, energy, and space has been very significant between India and Russia. There is growing interest in both countries to further deepen these ties. Russia has an increasing need for manpower and India and Russia are expected to sign a labour mobility agreement to protect Indian workers and boost skilled migration. MEA official said there has been efforts in recent months to bridge the trade deficit that India has with Russia.

Addressing an online media briefing Yesterday organised by Sputnik news agency in Delhi, Spokesperson for the President of Russia, Dmitry Peskov, said that S-400s and Su-57 are high on the agenda of the Russian President’s visit. The Kremlin spokesperson said Russia is looking forward to the state visit of President Putin to India. He stated that they are jointly looking for possibilities to increase imports from India to Russia. Mr Peskov pointed out that trade volume has grown to 63 billion dollars. He expressed confidence that the trade volume will reach 100 billion dollars by 2030. On the Russia and India oil trade, the Kremlin Spokesperson said they are looking at possibilities to ensure the right to sell oil as well as to ensure the right of those who want to purchase oil. He said they are working on creating a necessary environment for ensuring these rights. Replying to a query on US tariffs, Mr Peskov said Russia understands that there is pressure over India. He said relations must be free of any influence coming from third countries. He pointed out that India is a very sovereign country and Russia admires this characteristic of India. He also highlighted that people of India are great friends of Russia historically and Moscow is proud to have been shoulder to shoulder with India during its journey.