Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, held a bilateral meeting with H.E. Ms. Oxana Lut, Minister of Agriculture of the Russian Federation, at Krishi Bhawan on 4 December 2025, where both sides discussed ongoing cooperation and outlined future areas of collaboration.
The Ministers noted that India–Russia relations are built on trust, friendship, and mutual cooperation. Shri Chouhan highlighted growing bilateral agricultural trade which is currently standing at about USD 3.5 billion; he emphasised on the need for more balanced trade and thanked Russia for resolving long-pending issues related to the export of Indian potatoes, pomegranates, and seeds.
To increase trade in agriculture commodities, both side explored possibilities of export from India in food grain and horticulture products. During the meeting, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ICAR and the Federal Center for Animal Health of Russia was signed to strengthen cooperation in agricultural research, innovation, and capacity building.
Shri Chouhan also invited the Russian side to participate in the BRICS Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting to be hosted by India next year. Both countries agreed to deepen cooperation in agricultural trade, fertilizers, seeds, market access, and joint research, reaffirming their commitment to advancing innovation and benefitting farmers of both nations.
Ms. Lut showed keen interest in increasing trade and strengthening cooperation in agriculture sector. In addition to the Agriculture Minister, 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 other members of the delegation.
Representing India were Secretary of the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Shri Devesh Chaturvedi; Secretary DARE Sh. M. L. Jat and Secretary Department of Fertilizer Sh. Rajat Kumar Mishra, representative of the Ministry of External Affairs; Joint Secretaries from DA&FW, along with other senior officers.