Russia has been a longstanding and time-tested partner of India. Since the signing of the “Declaration on the India-Russia Strategic Partnership” in October 2000, India-Russia ties become more tighten and subsequently elevated to the level of a “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. India and Russia continue to nurture their Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership through intensive and multi-layered political engagements. The highest institutionalized mechanism remains the Annual Summit between the Prime Minister of India and the President of the Russian Federation and so far, 22 summits completed. The Russian delegation led by President of the Russian Federation H.E. Mr. Vladimir Putin is visiting India during 04 - 05 December 2025 for the 23^rd India-Russia Annual Summit.

On the side lines of the 23^rd India-Russia Annual Summit, Hon’ble Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India, Mr Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh held a bilateral meeting with H.E. Ms. Oxana Lut, Minister of Agriculture of the Russian Federation, at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi today. During the meeting, both the sides discussed expanding mutual trade in fisheries, animal & dairy products, resolving market access issues, and fast-tracking establishment listings for exports. The discussions also focused on collaboration in research, education & emerging aquaculture technologies, including deep-sea fishing vessels, aquaculture emerging technologies and processing.

Hon’ble Minister of FAHD, Government of India emphasized that India exported fish and fishery products worth USD 7.45 billion in 2024-25, including USD 127 million to Russia. He underlined the potential to diversify exports to Russia with products such as shrimp, prawns, mackerel, sardines, tuna, crab, squid, and cuttlefish. Russian side expressed readiness to take products from India, including fish and fishery products, meat and meat products, and showed interest in developing the trout market through a joint technical project that could lead to joint ventures.

He thanked Russia for listing 19 Indian fisheries establishments on the FSVPS platform recently making the total listed Indian establishments to 128 and requested to expedite listing of pending establishments, regular updates of activity details, and revocation of temporary restrictions. He also urged early approvals for Indian entities in dairy, buffalo meat, and poultry sectors, and assured full cooperation from the Indian side in this regard.

For export of butter and dairy products, Hon’ble Minister of FAHD, Government of India specifically mentioned that 12 Indian manufacturing companies of dairy products, including our renowned AMUL/ Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), are awaiting registration with the FSVPS. He requested Russian side to consider approving these establishment for listing in FSVPS.

Hon’ble Minister of FAHD, Government of India further emphasized on cooperation for mutual trade in the fisheries sector for fisheries products, technology transfer for deep-sea fishing vessels, and adoption of advanced aquaculture technologies including Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) and Biofloc, as highlighted by Union Secretary of India Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi. He stressed the need for capacity building in deep-sea fishing, on-board processing, and value addition, along with collaboration in aquaculture and emerging technologies. Both sides agreed to work on coldwater fisheries including trout, genetic improvement in fisheries and aquaculture.

It was highlighted that cooperation in fisheries, animal husbandry and dairying research and development would be mutually beneficial, as both the sides may get opportunities to take advanced research in these sectors, promoting innovation and strengthening food security. To achieve this, exchange of expertise, including officials, researchers, and students would be taken up by both the sides.

India proposed for creation of a structured mechanism to advance in these areas to strengthen the cooperation through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and requested Russian side to finalize and facilitate signing of the draft MoU already shared with the Russian side.

H.E. Ms. Oxana Lut informed about Russia’s readiness to cooperate in fisheries, animal husbandry and dairy sectors building on the successful history of agricultural collaboration. She noted that some items are manufactured in Russia and some in India, and the products which Russia needs, can be supplied by India and the products which India needs can be supplied by Russia to India for strengthening mutual trade. She stressed upon the fact that India is the second top exporter of shrimp to Russia. She also emphasised for a comprehensive framework for closer ties.

She also emphasized that Russia would like to have cooperation with India in veterinary vaccine development, equipment manufacturing, and animal disease management. She stressed upon further cooperation at the level of Universities, research and development institutes from both the sides and such cooperation will be further strengthen by collaborative courses, exchange of students, academia, scientists for innovation and advance technologies.

Hon’ble Minister of FAHD, Government of India concluded the meeting thanking the Russian delegation with great hope that our historic friendship will be further deepen bringing both the countries more closer to achieve the goals set by Hon’ble Prime Minister of India and H.E. President of Russian Federation.

The high-level meeting was attended by Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, Union Secretary, Department of Fisheries (DoF), GoI; Mr. Naresh Pal Gangwar, Union Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD),GoI, Ms. Varsha Joshi, Additional Secretary, DAHD, Mr. Rama Shankar Sinha, Additional Secretary, DAHD, Shri Sagar Mehra, Joint Secretary, DoF, Ms. Neetu Kumari Prasad, Joint Secretary DoF, Dr. Muthukumaraswamy B, Joint Secretary, DAHD, Dr. Praveen Malik, Animal Husbandry Commissioner, DAHD, Dr. J.K Jena, Deputy Director General (Fisheries Science), ICAR, Mr..D V Swamy, Chairman, Marine Product Export Development Authority.Dr. K. Mohamad Koya, Fisheries Development Commissioner, DoF along with senior officials of the Department of Fisheries and Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, GoI and Export Inspection Council of India.

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JP

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