India-Russia Bilateral Meet

GS2/IR

Context

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi for the BRICS Summit and held a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Modi.

Major Highlights

Trade: Focus on implementing the Programme for Economic Cooperation 2030 and raising bilateral trade to $100 billion by 2030.
Civil Nuclear Cooperation: Discussions on nuclear fuel cycle, life-cycle support for Russian-designed reactors and a possible second reactor site.
Critical Minerals: Cooperation being explored in exploration, processing and recycling.
Cultural Diplomacy: PM Modi gifted Putin a Russian translation of Thirukkural, authored by Thiruvalluvar.

Additional Information – India – Russia bilateral relations

Strategic Partnership: India–Russia relationship upgraded to “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership” in 2010.
Defence: Major cooperation in BrahMos, Su-30MKI, T-90 tanks, AK-203 rifles and military-technical cooperation.
Nuclear Energy: Russia is involved in Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant; cooperation covers reactors, fuel cycle and life-cycle support.
Space: Cooperation through ISRO–Roscosmos, including satellite navigation and human spaceflight.
Energy: Russia is an important source of crude oil, coal and other energy resources for India.
Trade & Investment: Both sides aim to expand trade and diversify beyond hydrocarbons.
Critical Minerals: Emerging cooperation in exploration, processing and recycling.
Connectivity: International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) connects India with Russia via Iran and Central Asia.
Multilateral Platforms: Cooperation through BRICS, SCO, G20 and UN.

Geography

Context

The Iran-backed Houthis seized control of Yemen’s entire Red Sea coast and captured three strategic islands, in a lightning offensive that cemented their hold on a vital shipping corridor.

About

Location: Seawater inlet of the Indian Ocean, between Northeast Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.
Western Coast: Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea
Eastern Coast: Saudi Arabia, Yemen
Southern Gateway: Bab-el-Mandeb Strait → Gulf of Aden → Indian Ocean
Northern End: Gulf of Suez, Gulf of Aqaba & Sinai Peninsula; Gulf of Suez connects to the Suez Canal.
Strategic Importance: Major global shipping and energy corridor, linking the Indian Ocean with the Mediterranean via Suez Canal.
Trade: Carries roughly 15% of global trade and nearly 30% of global container traffic.

Government Schemes

Context

About

Launched: 2019; completed 7 years.
Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare; implemented with LIC.
Type: Central Sector Scheme; voluntary & contributory pension scheme.
Objective: Old-age social security for Small & Marginal Farmers (SMFs).
Eligibility: Farmers aged 18–40 years with cultivable landholding ≤2 hectares.
Pension: Assured ₹3,000/month after 60 years.
Family Pension: After death, spouse gets 50% of pension = ₹1,500/month, subject to conditions.
Pre-60 Death: Spouse can either continue the scheme by contributing or exit as per withdrawal rules.
Land Record Condition: Name must be in State/UT land records as of 1 August 2019.

Economy

Context

The Ministry of Mines is in talks with Australia and Chile to acquire lithium blocks, while it is also seeking five additional blocks in Argentina, as India steps up its efforts to secure supplies of the critical mineral.

Lithium

Symbol: Li | Atomic No.: 3 | Type: Soft, silvery-white alkali metal.
Key Property: Highly reactive and flammable; stored under inert conditions/mineral oil.
Major Uses: Essential for Lithium-ion batteries → EVs, energy storage & electronic devices.

Global Distribution

Major reserves: Chile, Australia, Argentina, Bolivia & China.
Lithium Triangle: Argentina–Bolivia–Chile, containing a major share of global lithium reserves.

India

J&K: GSI identified 5.9 million tonnes of inferred lithium resources in 2023.
Potential brine sources: Sambhar & Pachpadra (Rajasthan) and
Rann of Kutch (Gujarat).

Economy

News

Copper prices have climbed to a record high of $14,708 a tonne amid uncertainty about global economic growth due to trade tensions and the conflict in West Asia.

Copper

Properties: Reddish, highly ductile metal; excellent electrical & thermal conductor; corrosion-resistant.
Occurrence: Found naturally in metallic form and in ores such as chalcopyrite, chalcocite & bornite.

Extraction: Mainly through smelting/leaching, followed by electrorefining/electrodeposition.
Historical Significance: One of the earliest metals used by humans; important since the dawn of civilisation.

Uses

Electrical & electronics: Wiring, cables, motors and electrical equipment.
Construction: Water pipes due to corrosion resistance.
Alloys:
- Brass = Copper + Zinc
- Bronze = Copper + Tin
- Nickel silver = Copper + Nickel + Zinc
Also used in coins, utensils, ornaments and mirrors.

US copper-product imports (2025): $16.2 billion
Major sources: China (20%), Mexico (17%), EU (14%), Canada (10%), Vietnam (8%).

Geography

News

Lipulekh Pass

Location: Pithoragarh district, Uttarakhand, in the Kumaon Himalayas.
Altitude: ~5,334 m.
Strategic Location: Situated near the India–China–Nepal tri-junction.
Connectivity: Traditional route linking India with Tibet.
Religious Significance: Important route for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.
Strategic Importance: Important for border security, connectivity and India–China–Nepal geopolitics.