India and Russia on Friday reaffirmed their shared commitment to strengthening collaboration in agricultural trade, education, research, and development, with a view to promoting sustainable and inclusive growth in the sector.
In a meeting held here, Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev engaged in fruitful discussions on a broad range of issues of mutual interest, with a particular emphasis on deepening bilateral trade and cooperation in the agriculture sector.
Advertisement
Key areas of dialogue included enhancing agricultural trade between the two countries, notably through the expansion of India’s exports of agricultural products.
Chouhan underscored the exemplary level of mutual trust and understanding that characterises the longstanding partnership between India and Russia. He shared India’s key priorities in the agriculture sector, including ensuring food security, enhancing farmer incomes, and promoting access to safe and nutritious food for all.
Highlighting India’s commitment to the principle of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (the world is one family), Chouhan emphasised the role of international collaboration in the welfare of the farmers and food security of the citizens.
Patrushev noted the longstanding and robust cooperation between India and Russia in many sectors, including the agricultural sector. He conveyed Russia’s keen interest in further deepening agricultural trade ties between the two countries and showed interest in formalizing this partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding.
The discussions centered on enhancing mutual collaboration in the agricultural sector, with a focus on balancing bilateral trade and strengthening technical partnerships between the two countries.
The Indian side underscored the importance of improved market access for key agricultural products in the Russian Federation and expressed optimism for the timely resolution of outstanding issues.
Both sides also agreed to deepen cooperation in academic exchanges and scholarship opportunities for students and to explore joint initiatives in seed traceability systems, intending to promote innovation and advance technology-driven solutions in agriculture.
The Russian delegation also included Russian Deputy Minister of Agriculture Maksim Markovich, Ambassador of Russia to India Denis Alipov, and Mr Sergey Dankvert, Head of the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance of the Russian Federation.
The Indian side was represented by Devesh Chaturvedi, Secretary of the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, and the Additional Secretary from the Ministry of External Affairs, among other senior dignitaries.