Partnership was elevated to the level of a “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.”

♤ Over the years India and Russia have evolved mechanisms of engagement at multilateral level at forums such as the UN, G-20, BRICS and SCO.

1.2.2. Political Relations: Mechanisms

♤ Annual Summit: The Annual Summit meeting between the Prime Minister of India and the President of the Russian Federation is the highest institutionalized dialogue mechanism in the strategic partnership between India and Russia.

♤ Annual Summit meetings take place alternatively in India and Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Goa from 15-16 October 2016 for the 17th Annual Summit, which resulted in 19 documents related to cooperation in defence, space, information security, foreign policy, trade & investment, hydrocarbons, shipbuilding, railways, and science and technology. Prime Minister Modi and President Putin also adopted a Joint Statement "Partnership for Global Peace and Stability” and a “Roadmap of Events” to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between India and Russia in the year 2017.

♤ Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited St. Petersburg, Russia from 31st May to 2nd June for the 18th India-Russia Annual Summit, this resulted in the conclusion of 12 documents related to cooperation over a very wide range of activities.

♤ The 18th Summit also witnessed the adoption of the “St. Petersburg Declaration” which not only highlights the multi-faceted cooperation between the two countries but also provides a comprehensive matrix for future cooperation. During this visit, PM had a separate meeting with governors of sixteen Russian regions where they discussed various aspects related to the enhancement of cooperation between Indian and Russian regions. PM also participated in the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum as the Guest of Honour.

♤ Intergovernmental Commissions: There is regular high-level interaction between the two countries.

♤ Two Inter-Governmental Commissions- one on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC), Co-chaired by the External Affairs Minister (EAM) and the Russian Deputy Prime Minister (DPM), and

♤ another on Military Technical Cooperation (IRIGC- MTC) Co-chaired by Russian and Indian Defence Ministers, meet annually.

♤ The Inter Governmental Commission on Military Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-MTC) Co- chaired by the two Defence Ministers and its Working Groups and Sub-Groups review defence cooperation between the two countries.

♤ Consultations: During the 17th Annual Summit, the sides concluded a Protocol for Consultations between the foreign ministries for the period 2017-18.

♤ Pursuant to the signing of the Protocol for Consultations between the foreign ministries, Secretary (West), Secretary (ER) and Secretary (East) visited Russia for bilateral consultations in 2016.