India and Russia Strengthen Cooperation in Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Aquaculture Technologies

New Delhi, Dec 2025 : Russia on Thursday expressed its readiness to import more fish and meat from India, as both countries agreed to enhance collaboration in emerging aquaculture technologies, including deep-sea fishing vessels, according to an official statement. The discussions took place at Krishi Bhawan between India’s Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Rajiv Ranjan Singh, and Russia’s Agriculture Minister, Oxana Lut.

The meeting focused on expanding bilateral trade in fisheries, animal, and dairy products, addressing market access issues, and fast-tracking the listing of Indian establishments for exports to Russia. Both sides also explored collaboration in research, education, and advanced aquaculture technologies, particularly in the fields of deep-sea fishing, aquaculture innovation, and processing.

Minister Singh emphasized the potential to diversify India’s exports to Russia, highlighting products such as shrimp, prawns, mackerel, sardines, tuna, crab, squid, and cuttlefish. He noted that India exported fish and fishery products worth $7.45 billion in 2024-25, including $127 million specifically to Russia. The Russian delegation expressed readiness to import these products along with meat and meat products and showed particular interest in developing the trout market through joint technical projects, potentially leading to joint ventures.

Minister Lut highlighted Russia’s willingness to collaborate in fisheries, animal husbandry, and dairy sectors, building on the countries’ long-standing agricultural cooperation. She pointed out that certain products manufactured in Russia could meet India’s requirements, while Indian products could fill gaps in the Russian market, thereby strengthening mutual trade. She also noted that India is the second-largest exporter of shrimp to Russia.

Singh expressed gratitude to Russia for recently listing 19 Indian fisheries establishments on its Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (FSVPS) platform, bringing the total number of Indian establishments listed to 128. He requested expedited listing of pending establishments, regular updates on operational activities, revocation of temporary restrictions, and early approvals for Indian entities in the dairy, buffalo meat, and poultry sectors. He assured full cooperation from India to facilitate these processes.

For dairy exports, Singh mentioned that 12 Indian manufacturing companies, including AMUL (Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation), are awaiting registration with the FSVPS. He urged the Russian authorities to approve these establishments for listing to enable smoother trade in butter and other dairy products.

Both sides agreed to enhance cooperation in coldwater fisheries, including trout, and promote genetic improvement in aquaculture. The partnership will involve exchange programs for officials, researchers, and students to share expertise and advance research capabilities. India proposed creating a structured mechanism to strengthen collaboration and requested Russia to finalize and facilitate the signing of a draft MoU already shared between the two nations.

Minister Lut also emphasized Russia’s interest in cooperation in veterinary vaccine development, equipment manufacturing, and animal disease management. She stressed further collaboration between universities, research institutes, and scientific communities in both countries. This would include exchange programs for students, scientists, and academicians, as well as joint research initiatives and development of innovative technologies.

The discussions underscored India and Russia’s shared commitment to enhancing trade, research, and technological collaboration in fisheries, aquaculture, and animal husbandry, marking a new phase in the bilateral agricultural partnership.