India and Russia push for free trade deal ahead of Putin's visit
With President Putin heading to India next month, top officials from both countries are in Moscow working on a free trade agreement (FTA) between India and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).
The plan? To put an 18-month roadmap into action, opening up new opportunities in sectors like pharmaceuticals, telecom equipment, machinery, leather, automobiles, and chemicals.
Why should you care?
This FTA could be a big deal for MSMEs, farmers, and fishermen—making it easier to export more Indian products while aiming for $100 billion in trade by 2030.
It's also about shrinking India's massive $59 billion trade gap with Russia by moving beyond just oil imports.
Plus, the deal fits into India's Viksit Bharat 2047 vision and means more Russian access to Indian goods like food and medicines.