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6 Dec 2025·Source: The Indian Express
3 min
EconomyInternational RelationsNEWS

India and Russia Aim for $100 Billion Bilateral Trade by 2030, Boost National Currency Use

India and Russia reaffirm their goal of $100 billion bilateral trade by 2030, focusing on national currency settlements despite US tariffs.

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India and Russia Aim for $100 Billion Bilateral Trade by 2030, Boost National Currency Use

Photo by Ewan Kennedy

त्वरित संशोधन

1.

Bilateral trade target: $100 billion by 2030.

2.

Current trade level: $70 billion.

3.

National currencies used in 96% of commercial deals.

4.

Russia assures uninterrupted fuel supplies (oil, gas, coal).

5.

US tariffs on India and sanctions on Russian oil companies have impacted trade.

6.

Push for faster conclusion of India-Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) trade deal.

महत्वपूर्ण तिथियां

20302024

महत्वपूर्ण संख्याएं

$100 billion$70 billion96%50%

दृश्य सामग्री

India-Russia Strategic Economic Partnership & EAEU

This map illustrates the geographical context of the India-Russia bilateral trade relationship and the broader Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) with which India is pursuing a trade deal. It highlights the key regions involved in this strategic economic partnership.

Loading interactive map...

📍India📍Russia📍Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU)

Key Metrics of India-Russia Economic Partnership

This dashboard highlights the ambitious trade target and the significant progress in using national currencies for settlements, crucial aspects of the India-Russia economic strategy.

Bilateral Trade Target
$100 Billion

Ambitious target set by India and Russia to be achieved by 2030, reflecting a strong commitment to deepen economic ties despite global challenges. This signifies a strategic move towards greater economic integration.

National Currency Use in Trade
96%

Current percentage of commercial deals settled using national currencies (Indian Rupee and Russian Ruble). This is a significant step towards de-dollarization, reducing reliance on the US dollar and mitigating risks from sanctions.

परीक्षा के दृष्टिकोण

1.

Economic implications of de-dollarization and alternative trade mechanisms.

2.

Geopolitical significance of India-Russia strategic partnership in a multipolar world.

3.

Impact of international sanctions on global trade and India's foreign policy choices.

4.

Role of regional economic blocs like EAEU and India's engagement with them.

5.

India's energy security strategy and diversification of sources.

विस्तृत सारांश देखें

सारांश

India and Russia have reiterated their commitment to significantly boost bilateral trade, aiming for a target of $100 billion by 2030. This comes despite challenges like steep US tariffs on India and sanctions on Russian oil companies, which have impacted discounted Russian oil exports to India. A key aspect of this economic partnership is the increasing use of national currencies for trade settlements, which has already reached 96% in commercial deals.

Russia has also assured India of uninterrupted fuel supplies (oil, gas, coal). Both nations are looking to expand industrial cooperation, co-productions, and co-innovation, and are pushing for a faster conclusion of the India-Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) trade deal. This strategic move helps both countries navigate global economic challenges and reduce reliance on the US dollar.

पृष्ठभूमि

India-Russia relations have historically been strong, rooted in strategic, defense, and economic cooperation since the Cold War era. Post-Cold War, economic ties diversified but faced challenges. Recent geopolitical shifts, particularly the Ukraine conflict and subsequent Western sanctions on Russia, have led to a renewed push for deeper economic engagement, especially in energy and trade settlement mechanisms.

नवीनतम घटनाक्रम

The news highlights a renewed commitment to achieve a $100 billion bilateral trade target by 2030. A significant development is the near-complete adoption (96%) of national currencies (Rupee-Rouble) for trade settlements, aiming to bypass the US dollar and Western financial systems. Russia is a crucial energy supplier for India, assuring uninterrupted supplies. Both nations are also keen on expanding industrial cooperation and fast-tracking the India-Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) trade deal.

बहुविकल्पीय प्रश्न (MCQ)

1. India and Russia are working to significantly boost their bilateral trade and economic cooperation. In this context, consider the following statements: 1. Both countries aim to achieve a bilateral trade target of $100 billion by the year 2030. 2. The use of national currencies for trade settlements between India and Russia has already surpassed 90% of commercial deals. 3. India is actively pursuing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU, of which Russia is a founding member). Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  • A.1 and 2 only
  • B.2 and 3 only
  • C.1 and 3 only
  • D.1, 2 and 3
उत्तर देखें

सही उत्तर: D

Statement 1 is correct: The news explicitly states the aim for $100 billion bilateral trade by 2030. Statement 2 is correct: The news mentions that national currency use has already reached 96% in commercial deals, which is above 90%. Statement 3 is correct: The news highlights that both nations are pushing for a faster conclusion of the India-Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) trade deal, indicating India's active pursuit of such an agreement.

2. In the context of increasing use of national currencies for international trade settlements, consider the following statements: 1. De-dollarization primarily aims to reduce reliance on the US dollar for trade and financial transactions. 2. The SWIFT system is an essential component for facilitating direct Rupee-Rouble trade settlements without involving the US dollar. 3. A major benefit of de-dollarization for a country like India is enhanced strategic autonomy in its foreign economic policy. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  • A.1 and 2 only
  • B.1 and 3 only
  • C.2 and 3 only
  • D.1, 2 and 3
उत्तर देखें

सही उत्तर: B

Statement 1 is correct: De-dollarization is precisely about reducing dependence on the US dollar for international trade and financial transactions, often driven by geopolitical considerations or a desire for greater financial sovereignty. Statement 2 is incorrect: SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication) is a messaging network. While it facilitates international transactions, it is often dollar-denominated and has been used by the US to enforce sanctions. Countries pursuing de-dollarization often seek alternatives to SWIFT or direct bilateral mechanisms (like Rupee-Rouble Vostro/Nostro accounts) to bypass the dollar and avoid potential sanctions. Statement 3 is correct: Reducing dollar reliance provides greater freedom from US financial leverage and potential sanctions, thereby enhancing a country's strategic autonomy in its foreign economic policy.

3. Match List-I with List-II: List-I (Economic Bloc) List-II (Key Member Country) A. Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) 1. Brazil B. MERCOSUR 2. Vietnam C. ASEAN 3. Kazakhstan D. SAARC 4. Afghanistan Select the correct answer using the code given below:

  • A.A-3, B-1, C-2, D-4
  • B.A-1, B-3, C-4, D-2
  • C.A-3, B-2, C-1, D-4
  • D.A-4, B-1, C-2, D-3
उत्तर देखें

सही उत्तर: A

A. Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) includes Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Armenia, and Kyrgyzstan. So, A-3 (Kazakhstan) is correct. B. MERCOSUR (Southern Common Market) includes Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Venezuela (currently suspended). So, B-1 (Brazil) is correct. C. ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) includes Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia. So, C-2 (Vietnam) is correct. D. SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) includes Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. So, D-4 (Afghanistan) is correct.

4. Assertion (A): India's increasing reliance on discounted crude oil from Russia, despite Western sanctions, is primarily driven by its energy security concerns. Reason (R): Diversification of energy sources and suppliers is a key strategy for India to mitigate geopolitical risks and ensure stable fuel supplies. In the context of the above two statements, which one of the following is correct?

  • A.Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
  • B.Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A.
  • C.A is true but R is false.
  • D.A is false but R is true.
उत्तर देखें

सही उत्तर: A

Assertion (A) is true: India has significantly increased its import of discounted Russian crude oil, and a major factor driving this decision is the need to secure its energy requirements amidst global price volatility and supply chain disruptions, directly addressing energy security. Reason (R) is true: Diversification of energy sources and suppliers is a fundamental principle of energy security for any major economy, especially one as import-dependent as India. This strategy helps reduce vulnerability to disruptions from any single region or supplier and hedges against geopolitical risks. Furthermore, R is the correct explanation of A because India's decision to procure Russian oil, despite external pressures, is a practical manifestation of its energy security strategy, which prioritizes diversifying sources to ensure stable and affordable supplies.