A simple introduction to this answer can revolve around a general statement about India-Russia relations 

Russia has been a longstanding and time-tested partner for India. The development of India-Russia relations has been a key pillar of India’s foreign policy.

India-Russia ties have acquired a qualitatively new character with enhanced levels of cooperation in almost all areas, including political, security, defence, trade and economy, science & technology, culture, and people-to-people ties.

In December 2010, the Strategic Partnership was elevated to the level of “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.

Body

You may incorporate some of the following points in the body of your answer:

Recent Developments

Bilateral Interaction/Visits

Russia is an important bilateral partner, India and Russia have a crucial role to play in global security and stability.

The Annual Summit 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.

There are various meetings where both countries meet like — BRICS, G20 and SCO.

Security Council Cooperation

India and Russia maintain close cooperation between the Security Council secretariats led by NSA from the Indian side and Secretary of the Russian Security Council.

Trade

The primary mechanism at the government level for enhancing trade and economic cooperation is the India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission for Trade, Economic, Scientific & Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC).

The free trade agreement (FTA) talks mark a step up in economic relations between the two countries. India’s imports from Russia more than quadrupled to $46.33 billion over the last fiscal year, mainly through oil.

India-Russia Strategic Economic Dialogue (IRSED) is another G2G mechanism co-chaired by Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog on Indian side and Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation.

Defence

India-Russia military-technical cooperation has evolved from a buyer-seller framework to one involving joint research, development and production of advanced defence technologies and systems.

India was involved in various defence deals such as — BrahMos Missile, T-90 tanks, S-400 air defence system and Ka-226t Helicopters.

Nuclear Energy

Russia is an important partner for India in the area of peaceful use of nuclear energy. Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP) is a flagship project between India and Russia in this sphere.

Space Cooperation

India-Russia cooperation in the field of peaceful uses of outer space dates back to about four decades. The two countries are cooperating closely under India’s first human spaceflight program “Gaganyaan”.

Science & Technology

The new Roadmap for Bilateral STI cooperation has been developed and agreed by both sides to replace the erstwhile ILTP cooperation program. It focusses on a variety of new engagements to promote co-innovation and exchanges and will be in force for next 5 years.

Conclusion

Your conclusion should be short. You may include:

Russia, traditionally India’s top source of military hardware, displaced Iraq to become India’s top supplier of crude oil.

Russia’s efforts to improve trade with India form part of its strategy to help evade the impact of Western sanctions by boosting commerce with Asian giants including China.

Moscow is also trying to increase or maintain cooperation with other South Asian countries, most recently agreeing to settle payments in yuan for building a nuclear power plant in Bangladesh and discussing discounted oil exports to Pakistan.

India’s interests in Russia are many and will continue even as its investments in Central Europe expand in strategic importance and political power to determine the future of Eurasia.

Other Points to Consider

India-Russia Defence Exercises

Recent defence ties

Russia-Ukraine (places in news)