External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Monday reaffirmed India’s commitment to strengthening its long-standing partnership with Russia, emphasizing closer cooperation during India’s ongoing BRICS chairship.

Addressing the conference “India and Russia: Towards a new bilateral agenda” virtually, Jaishankar said India’s approach under its BRICS leadership would remain “humanity-first” and people-centric, with a focus on addressing shared global challenges through balanced and inclusive frameworks.

“India, during its BRICS chairmanship, looks forward to closely working with Russia to address shared challenges in a balanced and inclusive manner,” he said, reiterating New Delhi’s dedication to its “cherished friendship” with Moscow.

Jaishankar highlighted the growing depth of bilateral ties, pointing to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India in December 2025 as a significant milestone. He said the visit expanded cooperation into new areas such as skilled workforce mobility, healthcare, food safety, maritime collaboration, fertilizers, customs, commerce, and academic and media exchanges.

Economic cooperation remains a key pillar of the partnership. Jaishankar noted that both countries are working toward increasing bilateral trade from the current $68.7 billion to $100 billion by 2030 in a “balanced and sustainable” manner. He stressed the importance of concluding the proposed Free Trade Agreement between India and the Eurasian Economic Union, along with addressing non-tariff barriers and regulatory challenges to facilitate smoother trade flows.

The minister also underscored the strong cultural and civilizational ties between the two nations. He said people-to-people connections continue to grow, driven by a shared appreciation for traditions such as yoga, Ayurveda, and the arts. The recent exposition of sacred relics of Shakyamuni Buddha in Russia’s Kalmykia region, he noted, reflects the deep cultural bond between the two countries.

Jaishankar expressed confidence that the opening of new Indian consulates in Yekaterinburg and Kazan would further strengthen economic, cultural, and social engagement.

He also emphasized the importance of cooperation in an evolving multipolar world, noting that platforms such as BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, the G20, and the United Nations play a crucial role in addressing global challenges.

Highlighting the enduring nature of India-Russia relations, Jaishankar said the partnership continues to be guided by trust, mutual respect, and regular high-level exchanges, contributing to regional and global stability.