"Our relations in the military-technical sphere will only develop"
Indian Ambassador to Russia Vinay Kumar — on trade with Russia, joint production of missiles, conflict with Pakistan and mediation in the Ukrainian settlement
Izvestia, 19.05.2025
By Anastasia Kostina
India is ready to increase purchases of Russian oil and LNG, the republic's ambassador to Russia Vinay Kumar said in an interview with Izvestia. The country is also considering a reduction in import duties for a number of Russian goods proposed by the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation. A meeting of the working group on removing trade barriers will be held in Moscow in the next few months. The parties are also discussing increasing the number of direct flights — it all depends on the airlines. In addition, New Delhi wants to expand the list of tourist destinations for Russians. Work is also progressing on an agreement on a free trade zone with the EAEU. About the conflict with Pakistan, India's role in the Ukrainian settlement and military-technical cooperation with the Russian Federation — in an exclusive interview with Vinay Kumar Izvestia.
"We want to conclude a serious free trade agreement"
Q— During negotiations in July 2024, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin set a goal to increase mutual trade turnover to $100 billion by 2030. Recently, the Russian trade mission in India reported that it has increased fivefold since 2020 and has already reached $64 billion. In this regard, is there a new target for the volume of bilateral trade by 2030?
— It is precisely because of the growth of bilateral trade over the past five years that the leaders of both countries have set a goal to reach a bilateral trade volume of $100 billion by 2030. Therefore, our efforts are now focused on achieving this goal. To do this, it is necessary to resolve issues of market access, expand contacts between business circles and trade communities between industries that can increase exports and imports, and new areas are needed — we are exploring them. The conclusion of a free trade agreement between India and the EAEU is being discussed. So we hope that thanks to all these efforts we will be able to achieve the goal set by the leaders of $100 billion in the next five years.
Q— Is India interested in raising its trade turnover target?
— Currently, we are more focused on getting closer to this goal as we progress over these four to five years, and then depending on how we work over the next few years, we can certainly reconsider this goal. We had a goal of $50 billion by 2025, which we exceeded. That's why we have increased the target to $100 billion by 2030. Of course, these are not numbers that cannot be changed depending on our work.
Q— You mentioned the possibility of concluding an agreement on a free trade area. What is the current stage of negotiations?
— Trade negotiations and negotiations on free trade take a lot of time, because these are technical issues, and I don't think I can name a time frame, but, of course, the negotiators will strive for progress. They have already held preliminary negotiations and discussed the terms of reference. And we will see how quickly we can move in this direction. But the goal is set: we want to conclude a serious free trade agreement and discuss the provision of relevant services with the EAEU member states.
Q— In December 2024, the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation proposed to reduce import duties for popular Russian goods. Is India interested in reducing such duties? Is this issue being discussed now?
— We are discussing all possible measures to increase trade, where duties are just one of the components. There are other non-tariff barriers faced by Indian exporters. Therefore, we are considering these issues as well. In addition, bilateral mutual investments help to increase trade turnover. So these issues are also being discussed. A meeting of the working group on trade and related issues will be held in Moscow in the next few months. We will try to make progress on some of them.
"We will continue to promote the import of Russian oil"
Q— By the way, about the development of Russian-Indian economic relations. Over the past year, Russia has overtaken the UAE as the largest supplier of oil to India. Since domestic demand for it is growing in the republic, and the construction of fuel refining plants is expected to be completed in three to four years, is India considering the possibility of increasing imports of Russian oil?
— This issue primarily concerns market conditions, prices and logistics. Our job is to facilitate this scheme by concluding agreements on cargo transportation and new sea corridors, so that Indian importers and Russian exporters find it expedient and commercially profitable to continue trade, which was so important for the growth of trade turnover to the mentioned level. So we will continue to facilitate the further import of Russian oil to the Indian market.
Q— So it can be increased if there is such a request?
— Yes, absolutely. Moreover, some Indian companies have signed agreements with the Russian side on long-term oil imports from Russia to India. So there are intentions, and market conditions and logistics facilitate the sale of large volumes.
Q— What about the import of Russian LNG?
— Russian LNG has been imported to India for the last five years. And although there is a fluctuation in prices, I see no reason why it should not remain in the same range or even increase depending on price competitiveness and supply guarantees. And it can be increased.
“We need to improve transport links"
Q— Tourist ties are also developing between the two countries. India is a popular destination among Russians, but we have some difficulties with payments abroad. India and the Russian Federation are currently considering accepting cards from the Russian Mir payment system. At what stage are the discussions? How does India plan to deepen tourism ties?
— The issue of payment is being discussed, and a number of measures have already been taken to simplify it. As for tourism, there are a number of other problems. We need to improve transport links. Currently, there is only one flight between Moscow and Delhi. It is necessary to increase their number. There are currently restrictions given the current conditions. Our approach is to conduct comprehensive promotional events, not only to address payment and transportation issues, but also to reach a wider audience through participation in trade fairs in Russia and inviting Russian tour operators to similar exhibitions in India in order to increase the flow of tourists between the countries.
I think more work needs to be done, as the number of Russian tourists visiting India is still much lower than the potential, given the overall tourist flow from Russia. We want to get a much higher percentage, as well as offer new tourist destinations for Russians.
Q— Are Russia and India currently discussing an increase in the number of direct flights?
— Yes, we are dealing with this issue. The government has no restrictions on the number of destinations and flights on a specific route. It rather depends on the capabilities of the airlines.
"We continue to contact on issues of defense cooperation"
Q— Tensions remain between India and Pakistan. On May 10, the parties agreed to a cease-fire mediated by the United States, as announced by Donald Trump. Has Russia offered to help resolve the conflict?
— First of all, the current tension arose due to the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, where tourists were shot at point-blank range after their religious affiliation was established. Therefore, India had to react to this. And the cease-fire was the result of India's reaction to the escalation started by Pakistan. It was reached on a bilateral basis when the head of the General Staff of Operations of the Pakistani army called his Indian counterpart.
A number of leaders, including President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, spoke with their Indian counterparts after the terrorist attack in Pahalgam. However, India has consistently pursued a policy according to which Kashmir is a matter of policy on both sides, and mediation by a third party is not envisaged. This position is still maintained.
Q— We have close ties in the military-technical sphere. Does Russia remain a key partner for India in this area?
— This has been the case for decades. And lately our relationship has even deepened. We not only buy and sell military equipment, but also engage in the joint development and production of defense products. Indian-made equipment, including BraMos (supersonic anti-ship missile of joint Russian-Indian production. — Izvestia), has repeatedly proved its effectiveness, including in the period from May 7 to May 10. Therefore, I believe that our relations in this area will only develop.
Q— Are new supplies of Russian defense equipment currently being discussed between Russia and India?
— We regularly communicate across the entire spectrum of our military and military-technical cooperation. This is an important part of the relationship, and we continue to keep in touch on issues of defense cooperation.
"It's too early to talk about peacemaking"
Q— Narendra Modi has repeatedly called for a peaceful settlement of the conflict in Ukraine and expressed his willingness to help it. Is India considering sending a peacekeeping mission to Ukraine after the conflict is resolved?
— This is a hypothetical scenario, and it is premature to talk about peacekeeping before the parties concerned reach an agreement. We support negotiations between the parties concerned to put an end to the conflict in the first place.
Q— Is India ready to mediate in the Ukrainian settlement, for example, as Brazil proposes to do in the person of President Lula da Silva?
— If we can do something to promote dialogue and a peaceful settlement of the conflict, we will be ready to do it.
Q— Can it be the provision of a platform for negotiations?
— This is again a hypothetical conversation about the form of assistance. It depends primarily on the stakeholders.
Q— Have there been any relevant requests?
— As far as I know, no.
