India, Russia Discuss Plans to Expand Agricultural Trade, Academic Collaboration

India and Russia are deepening their agricultural cooperation with discussions led by India's Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev. Both parties expressed strong interest in formalizing a partnership through a memorandum of understanding to enhance bilateral trade, especially by expanding India's agricultural exports to Russia. The talks focused on balancing trade, improving market access for Indian products in Russia, and strengthening technical collaborations including joint ventures in seed traceability systems. Both nations emphasized the importance of food security, raising farmer incomes, and promoting access to nutritious food, reflecting a longstanding partnership based on mutual trust and the principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, which underscores global collaboration. Additionally, they agreed to expand academic cooperation and scholarship programs to support innovation and technology-driven agricultural solutions. This engagement is also preparatory to Russian President Vladimir Putin's scheduled visit to India.