Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, held a bilateral meeting with H.E. Ms. Oxana Lut, Minister of Agriculture of the Russian Federation, on 4 December 2025 at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi. The discussion focused on strengthening ongoing partnerships and identifying new avenues of cooperation in agriculture.
Highlighting the long-standing relationship between the two nations, both Ministers noted that India–Russia ties are rooted in trust, friendship, and mutual collaboration. Chouhan acknowledged the steady rise in bilateral agricultural trade, which currently stands at approximately USD 3.5 billion, and called for efforts to make the trade more balanced. He also expressed gratitude to Russia for addressing long-pending market access issues related to Indian potatoes, pomegranates, and seeds.
To further accelerate agricultural trade, the two sides discussed enhancing India’s exports of food grains and horticulture products and exploring new commodity pathways.
A significant outcome of the meeting was the signing of an MoU between ICAR and the Federal Center for Animal Health, Russia, aimed at boosting cooperation in agricultural research, innovation, and capacity building.
Chouhan also invited the Russian delegation to participate in the BRICS Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting, which India will host next year.
Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to deepening collaboration in fertilizers, seeds, market access, agricultural trade, and joint research, ensuring mutual benefits for farmers of both nations. The Russian Minister conveyed strong interest in expanding trade and intensifying cooperation across the agriculture sector.
The Russian delegation included Mr. Maxim Markovich, Deputy Minister; Ms. Marina Afonina, Deputy Minister; Mr. Sergey Dankvert, Head of FSVPS; and Mrs. Daria Koroleva, Director, Asia Division, among others.
The Indian side was represented by Devesh Chaturvedi, Secretary, Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare; M. L. Jat, Secretary DARE; Rajat Kumar Mishra, Secretary, Department of Fertilizers; representatives of the Ministry of External Affairs; and senior officials from DA&FW.