India-Russia Summit 2025: Key Outcomes

Arctic Region Cooperation

• Commitment to Consultations: India and Russia agreed to engage in regular bilateral consultations on Arctic-related issues.
• Historical Engagement: India's engagement in the Arctic dates back to the signing of the Svalbard Treaty in 1920, which allows for commercial and scientific activities in the region.
• Scientific Expeditions: New Delhi launched its first scientific expedition in the Arctic in 2007, establishing the Himadri outpost in Svalbard.
• Research Activities:
  • Indian researchers study glacier mass balance and compare Arctic glaciers with those in the Himalayas.
  • Involvement in Arctic oceanography, atmospheric studies, pollution research, and microbiology.
  • Over 25 institutes and universities engaged in Arctic research with around 100 peer-reviewed papers since 2007.
• Infrastructure Development: India launched its first multi-sensor moored observatory and an atmospheric laboratory in the Arctic in 2014 and 2016, respectively.
• Environmental Concerns: Global warming is leading to melting polar ice, potentially opening new sea routes and revealing minerals and metals.

Nuclear Energy Cooperation

• Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant:
  • Commitment to nuclear energy cooperation, including fuel cycle and life cycle support for the Kudankulam plant.
  • Two units of 1,000 MW are operational; four additional units are under construction, aiming for a total capacity of 6,000 MW by 2027.
• Future Projects: Discussions on another nuclear plant with India planning to allocate a second site as per agreements.
• Technical Discussions: Agreement to accelerate discussions on Russian VVER reactors for design and joint nuclear plant development.

Space Cooperation

• ISRO and Roscosmos Partnership: Enhanced collaboration in peaceful outer space use, including human spaceflight, satellite navigation, planetary exploration, and rocket engine development.