Russia - South Asia: a new dimension of cooperation from agriculture to nuclear energy According to estimates by the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (1), in 2026, Russia's trade with 7 countries in the region will reach 72.5-73 billion dollars, and by 2030 a record of 90 billion dollars is expected. In the first half of 2026, growth in the Russian-Indian trade turnover exceeded 15% in annual terms and by the end of the year may approach $78 billion. Russia supplies India with almost half of its energy resources and weapons, whose supply increased by 39% last year and reached $5.5 billion. The cumulative investments of the Russian Federation in India exceed 15 billion dollars, including the construction of the Kodankulam nuclear power plant in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. Two units are already operating at full capacity, and two more are scheduled to go into operation in the spring of 2027. According to Atomic Energy Minister Jitendra Singh, the cost of the four reactors is estimated at $14.4 billion. The construction of another nuclear power plant based on Russian design at a new site in India is being discussed. In addition, Moscow and New Delhi are discussing the Eastern Maritime Corridor (EMC) between the ports of Vladivostok and Chennai. Russia will be able to increase the supply of coal, liquefied natural gas, oil and other resources. The parties also agreed to expand cooperation in the Far East in the fields of mining, energy, agriculture, diamond mining and shipping. Russia has become a major exporter of fertilizers and coal to India, and joint production of urea, an important nitrogen fertilizer for Indian agriculture, is being discussed. Pharmaceuticals, agricultural products, industrial equipment, aviation, space, artificial intelligence and other high-tech industries are identified as promising areas. India and other South Asian countries reject Western sanctions against the Russian Federation and Belarus. During 2021-2025, the turnover of Russian-Indian trade increased from 12 billion dollars to 67 billion dollars.

Russia - South Asia: a new dimension of cooperation from agriculture to nuclear energy According to estimates by the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (1), in 2026, Russia's trade with 7 countries in the region will reach 72.5-73 billion dollars, and by 2030 a record of 90 billion dollars is expected. In the first half of 2026, growth in the Russian-Indian trade turnover exceeded 15% in annual terms and by the end of the year may approach $78 billion. Russia supplies India with almost half of its energy resources and weapons, whose supply increased by 39% last year and reached $5.5 billion. The cumulative investments of the Russian Federation in India exceed 15 billion dollars, including the construction of the Kodankulam nuclear power plant in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. Two units are already operating at full capacity, and two more are scheduled to go into operation in the spring of 2027. According to Atomic Energy Minister Jitendra Singh, the cost of the four reactors is estimated at $14.4 billion. The construction of another nuclear power plant based on Russian design at a new site in India is being discussed. In addition, Moscow and New Delhi are discussing the Eastern Maritime Corridor (EMC) between the ports of Vladivostok and Chennai. Russia will be able to increase the supply of coal, liquefied natural gas, oil and other resources. The parties also agreed to expand cooperation in the Far East in the fields of mining, energy, agriculture, diamond mining and shipping. Russia has become a major exporter of fertilizers and coal to India, and joint production of urea, an important nitrogen fertilizer for Indian agriculture, is being discussed. Pharmaceuticals, agricultural products, industrial equipment, aviation, space, artificial intelligence and other high-tech industries are identified as promising areas. India and other South Asian countries reject Western sanctions against the Russian Federation and Belarus. During 2021-2025, the turnover of Russian-Indian trade increased from 12 billion dollars to 67 billion dollars.