Consulate General of the Russian Federation and Russian House Commemorate 25 Years of Russia–India Strategic Ties
Chennai, December 18, 2025: Marking 25 years of the Russia–India bilateral strategic partnership, 2025 has emerged as a defining year, with relations continuing to deepen despite global geopolitical and geoeconomic challenges, yielding tangible outcomes across several sectors, including stronger engagement with South Indian States, said Mr. Valerii Khodzhaev, Consul General of the Russian Federation in Chennai.
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| (L to R) Alexander Dodonov, Director of the Russian House Chennai; Valerii Khodzhaev, Consul General of the Russian Federation South India |
Addressing a press meet organised by the Consulate General of the Russian Federation and the Russian House to review Russia–India cooperation over the past year, Mr. Khodzhaev said the partnership, elevated to a special and privileged strategic partnership 15 years ago, remains robust and time-tested. He described it as an invaluable asset that offers a strong foundation for future cooperation and has demonstrated resilience amid changing global political dynamics.
Press meet Youtube Video link 👇
Referring to the state visit of Mr. Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation, to New Delhi on December 4–5, Mr. Khodzhaev said the high-level political engagements in 2025 have given fresh momentum to bilateral relations. The agreements and understandings reached during the summit, he noted, are expected to further strengthen institutionalised cooperation, boosting trade and economic ties, scientific and technological collaboration, defence and security cooperation, and cultural and academic exchanges.
He also underlined the significance of the new agreements in enhancing regional cooperation, particularly with Southern India. Recent months have witnessed positive momentum, he said, with major projects progressing steadily, including the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant in Tamil Nadu, modernisation of India’s railway network, and joint initiatives in natural resource development.
On economic cooperation, the Consul General observed that India–Russia business ties are becoming increasingly diversified, with growing focus on advanced sectors such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, pharma tech, fintech and agritech. To improve awareness and business linkages, several Russian business delegations have visited Southern India, strengthening engagement with Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala. He also noted that the first South India business mission from Tamil Nadu to Russia was organised recently.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Alexander Dodonov, Director of the Russian House in Chennai, highlighted the strong potential for academic and university collaboration. He cited the high standards of educational institutions in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Telangana and their ability to train skilled and semi-skilled manpower. This, he said, assumes greater importance in light of the mobility agreements signed at the recent summit. With Russia’s higher education system having attained global standards over the past decades, Russian universities have expanded opportunities for Indian students to pursue higher studies in Russia in 2025.
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