New Delhi: Russia on Thursday, has proposed boosting supplies of oil and natural gas to India, following talks between Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. The discussions explored ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation in strategic sectors, including energy, fertilisers, and trade.

Prime Minister Modi said on social media that he and Manturov discussed “mutually beneficial cooperation in trade, fertilisers, connectivity and people-to-people ties”.

He praised the sustained efforts of both nations to implement the outcomes of the India-Russia Summit held during President Vladimir Putin’s visit to New Delhi in December 2025.

Jaishankar added that the talks covered bilateral cooperation in trade, industry, energy, fertilisers, connectivity, and mobility. They also examined opportunities in technology, innovation, and critical minerals. Discussions touched upon regional and global developments, including the ongoing conflict in West Asia.

Russia confirms capacity to boost supplies

According to a readout from the Russian Embassy in India, Manturov “confirmed that Russian companies have the capacity to steadily increase supplies of oil and liquefied natural gas to the Indian market.”

Manturov highlighted that Russia had “increased supplies of in-demand mineral fertilisers to India by 40%” by the end of 2025 and expressed readiness to continue fulfilling India’s requirements. A joint project for carbamide production between the two countries is also underway, the readout noted.

India is currently facing disruptions in energy and fertiliser supply due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, following military strikes by Israel and the US against Iran. The Russian statement emphasised that “particular attention was paid to cooperation in the oil and gas sector” during Manturov’s discussions with Indian officials.

Strengthening strategic partnerships

Russia has emerged as India’s largest energy supplier following a US waiver on sanctions, allowing continued purchases of Russian energy. Manturov, who co-chairs the Russia-India Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technical and Cultural Cooperation, also met National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

The Russian readout emphasised that expanding trade, investment, and industrial cooperation remained a key agenda. “Specific steps were discussed to create favourable conditions for increasing bilateral trade turnover in the present context,” it stated.

Nuclear, industrial, and technological cooperation

Manturov highlighted prospects for deepening collaboration in nuclear energy, with ongoing work on reactors for the Kudankulam nuclear power plant progressing on schedule. Other areas of engagement discussed included industrial cooperation, space, and education.

Manturov’s visit followed foreign office consultations in New Delhi co-chaired by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko, which reviewed the state of bilateral ties.

The visit also comes in the wake of India’s decision to procure five additional S-400 air defence systems from Russia, following the system’s performance during Operation Sindoor, the four-day conflict with Pakistan last year.