Understanding India–Russia relations requires a clear picture of Russia itself – its geography, economy, demographics and political system. For India, Russia is not just a large country on the map; it is a major Eurasian power, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, an energy superpower and a key partner in building a multipolar, rules-based international order.
Geography and Demography: A Eurasian Giant
The Russian Federation is the world’s largest country by area, covering around 17 million square kilometres, stretching from Eastern Europe across the Urals and Siberia to the Pacific. Nearly half of its land area is forested, contributing to global environmental balance and biodiversity.
Russia’s population is about 146 million (January 2025), with roughly 74% living in urban areas and 26% in rural regions. Women constitute a slightly higher proportion of the population than men. Age-profile data suggests a significant working-age population, alongside a notable share of citizens above 59 years, creating both economic opportunities and welfare challenges.
Russia is a multi-ethnic state, with Russians forming about 78% of the population and sizeable communities of Tatars, Ukrainians, Bashkirs, Chuvash and many others. While Russian is the official language, 35 regional languages enjoy official status in specific regions, reflecting the country’s federative and diverse character.
Economy: Strengths, Adjustments and New Opportunities
Russia’s economy is deeply integrated into global energy and commodities markets. According to data collated by India’s diplomatic missions, Russia’s GDP stood at around USD 2.02 trillion in 2023 at current prices, with robust growth of over 4% in 2023 and 2024, following a contraction in 2022.
In purchasing-power-parity (PPP) terms, the economy is considerably larger, underlining Russia’s weight as a major global producer and consumer. Services account for roughly 62% of GDP, industry about 32% and agriculture around 5%. Unemployment is relatively low, while inflation has been elevated but is projected to moderate.
Russia’s external trade remains sizeable:
- Total trade in goods and services was estimated at USD 856 billion in 2024, with a surplus of about USD 94 billion.
- Exports and imports have fluctuated in recent years due to global commodity prices and sanctions-related adjustments, but Russia has shown an ability to reroute trade and diversify partnerships, including with India.
For India, Russia’s energy and raw-material strengths – oil, gas, coal, fertilisers, metals, timber – complement India’s needs as a rapidly developing, energy-hungry economy. At the same time, India’s growing role in information technology, pharmaceuticals, space and services offers Russia valuable diversification options.
Digital and Social Indicators
Russia is a highly connected society, with over 90% internet penetration and a high proportion of smartphone users. This digital infrastructure creates opportunities for India–Russia collaboration in IT, cybersecurity, e-governance and fintech, all areas where India has developed globally respected capabilities.
Life expectancy in Russia is about 73 years, with a notable gap between men and women (roughly 67.6 vs 78.2 years), highlighting public-health and lifestyle challenges that remain on the national agenda.
Politics and Governance: A Federal Presidential Republic
Russia is a federal state with a presidential form of government. President Vladimir Putin began his fifth term in May 2024 after winning the March 2024 presidential election with a high voter turnout and a large margin. The Prime Minister, Mikhail Mishustin, heads the government, while Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has been a familiar interlocutor for India and the world since 2004.
India engages Russia as a sovereign partner, respecting its internal political processes while focusing on areas of convergence. Both countries share a commitment to the UN Charter, multipolarity, and opposition to terrorism and unilateral sanctions not grounded in international law.
Russia in India’s Strategic Calculus
For India, Russia plays multiple strategic roles:
- Defence and Security Partner – as discussed earlier, supplying advanced platforms and engaging in joint R&D and exercises.
- Energy Powerhouse – providing oil, gas, coal and nuclear technology, and partnering in new energy frontiers including the Arctic and the Russian Far East.
- Eurasian Connector – serving as a key node in the INSTC, the Northern Sea Route and the planned Chennai–Vladivostok corridor, linking India to Europe and the Arctic.
- Partner in Multilateral Forums – coordinating with India in the UN, SCO, BRICS and G20 on global governance reforms, climate, development finance and counter-terrorism.
Russia’s “pivot to the East” and India’s Act East and extended neighbourhood policies intersect in the Russian Far East and the Indo-Pacific, where both sides see opportunities in mining, logistics, shipbuilding, education and services.
Tourism, Culture and Soft Power
Russia receives millions of international visitors annually; in January–September 2024 alone, it hosted around 13 million international arrivals, with China as the largest source. India’s share has been growing, supported by simpler visa procedures and rising interest in Russia’s cultural and natural attractions.
For Indians, Russia offers a unique blend of European and Asian cultural experiences, world-class museums and theatres, and landscapes ranging from the Baltic to the Pacific. For Russians, India represents civilisation, spirituality, cinema, yoga and cuisine – a soft-power connection that policymakers in both capitals are keen to nurture.
Russia and the Ukraine Crisis: India’s Reality-Based Engagement
Since February 2022, the conflict in Ukraine and Russia’s announcement of a “special military operation” have reshaped global debates on security and sanctions. India’s approach has been guided by its national interests, its citizens’ welfare, and its long-standing principles: respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, cessation of hostilities, return to dialogue and diplomacy, and concern for the impact on the Global South.
Throughout, India has maintained engagement with all sides, including Russia, while using its voice at the UN and other fora to call for peace and stability. This balanced, principled stance has preserved India’s strategic space, allowed continued cooperation with Russia, and enhanced India’s reputation as an independent and responsible actor.
A Partner in India’s Journey to 2047
As India looks ahead to the centenary of its independence in 2047, Russia will remain an important partner – a stable, resource-rich, technologically capable Eurasian power with which India shares decades of accumulated trust.
In energy, connectivity, defence, science and people-to-people linkages, the India–Russia partnership encapsulates India’s broader foreign-policy philosophy: multi-alignment, strategic autonomy and principled engagement. Understanding Russia in all its dimensions is therefore essential for appreciating how India will navigate the changing world order – not as a camp follower, but as a confident, civilisational state shaping its own destiny.