Russia Deputy PM meets Chouhan, both discuss increasing agri trade

On Friday, Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev met India’s Union Agriculture Minister, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, to discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation and trade in the agriculture sector. The meeting focused on deepening agricultural relations between the two countries, including the expansion of India’s agricultural exports to Russia. The discussions highlighted the mutual commitment to enhancing trade, improving market access, and exploring avenues for formal agreements such as a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to institutionalize bilateral agricultural cooperation.

According to the Indian Ministry of Agriculture, Chouhan emphasized the longstanding trust and understanding that underpin India-Russia relations. He outlined India’s key priorities in agriculture, which include ensuring food security, improving farmer incomes, and providing access to safe and nutritious food for all. Chouhan stressed the importance of collaboration in areas such as agriculture, fertilizers, and food processing to further strengthen ties. These discussions were part of a broader engagement, coming a day after Patrushev met Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the World Food India event in New Delhi, where similar topics of agricultural cooperation and trade were deliberated.

Patrushev highlighted the robust and longstanding cooperation between India and Russia across multiple sectors, including agriculture. He expressed Russia’s keen interest in further deepening agricultural trade relations and indicated the possibility of formalizing this partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding. The Russian Deputy Prime Minister emphasized the strategic importance of the agricultural sector in bilateral relations and the potential for growth in trade, particularly in the export of Indian agricultural products to the Russian market.

The Indian side underscored the significance of improved market access for key agricultural products in Russia. This focus on trade facilitation aligns with India’s broader agricultural export objectives, aiming to ensure that Indian farmers benefit from new market opportunities while strengthening diplomatic and economic ties between the two countries.

The Russian delegation included several high-ranking officials, such as Maksim Markovich, Deputy Minister of Agriculture of the Russian Federation; Denis Alipov, Ambassador of Russia to India; and Sergey Dankvert, Head of the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance of Russia. The Indian delegation included Agriculture Secretary Devesh Chaturvedi and other senior officials, reflecting the high-level nature of the discussions. The meeting reinforced the commitment of both countries to not only sustain existing agricultural ties but also to explore new areas of collaboration, including technology transfer, research partnerships, and supply chain improvements.

Overall, the meeting between Patrushev and Chouhan signifies the ongoing effort to strengthen India-Russia relations, with a specific emphasis on the agriculture sector as a strategic area for economic cooperation. By focusing on export expansion, formalized agreements, and mutual support in agriculture, both nations aim to enhance trade, promote farmer welfare, and ensure food security. These discussions contribute to a broader diplomatic framework, demonstrating the importance of agriculture as both an economic and strategic pillar in India-Russia relations. The meeting underscores the intention of both sides to maintain a robust, collaborative partnership and explore new opportunities for trade and cooperation that benefit both nations’ agricultural sectors, farmers, and wider economies.