DECEMBER, 20259TOP STORIESINDIA, RUSSIA UNVEIL 2030 PLAN TO BOOST ENERGY, TRADE, CONNECTIVITYPrime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin recently announced the elevation of their long-standing partnership, unveiling a new 2030 Economic Cooperation Programme aimed at strengthening ties across various sectors.The India-Russia ties strengthen through the Modi-Putin meeting, unveiling the India-Russia 2030 agenda, which focuses on energy cooperation, transport connectivity, critical minerals, and boosting bilateral trade within their strategic partnership.Speaking at a joint press conference in New Delhi, Modi emphasized the historic milestones in bilateral relations and outlined plans to expand collaboration in energy, connectivity, critical minerals, and people-to-people exchanges.The Economic Cooperation Programme 2030 seeks to diversify and balance trade and investment between the two nations. Both leaders expressed commitment to exploring new opportunities in exports, co-production, and co-innovation, with the India­Russia Business Forum set to play a key role. Modi also noted ongoing efforts with the Eurasian Economic Union to finalize a free trade agreement."Exactly 25 years ago, President Putin laid the foundation of our strategic partnership... For the past two and a half decades, he has continuously strengthened these relations with his leadership and vision", PM Modi added.Energy security remains a strong pillar of the partnership, with continued cooperation in civil nuclear energy to support clean energy goals. The two leaders also focused on critical minerals, vital for new-age industries, high-tech manufacturing, and clean energy transitions.Connectivity is another priority, with plans to fast-track the International North­South Transport Corridor (INSTC), the Northern Sea Route, and the Chennai­Vladivostok maritime corridor. Modi welcomed Russia's decision to train Indian seafarers in polar waters, a step towards enhancing maritime skills and job creation.Modi reiterated India's commitment to peace in the Ukraine conflict and highlighted the importance of multilateral cooperation in forums like the UN, G20, BRICS, and SCO. IMRRecently, Vietnamese electric vehicle (EV) maker VinFast signed a new agreement with the government of Tamil Nadu to increase production capacity and introduce a variety of products to India. The Tamil Nadu government will provide VinFast with about 200 hectares of land adjacent to VinFast's existing facility within SIPCOT Industrial Park in Thoothukudi, as part of the second phase of VinFast's $2 billion investment in India and its plans to begin production on new manufacturing lines for electric buses and eScooters to provide charging stations as indicated by Industries Minister, Dr TRB Rajaa.VinFast's Tamil Nadu investment will boost the VinFast EV plant in India, driving electric bus production in India and e-scooter manufacturing in Tamil Nadu as part of its broader EV manufacturing expansion.He said, "This would add further momentum to the state's clean-transport push. The government is committed to ensur-ing favourable conditions throughout the implementation pro-cess so that Vinfast thrives in Tamil Nadu and its ecosystem generates jobs for our people".The Tamil Nadu Ministry of Industry is working closely with VinFast's new partners to streamline the permitting pro-cess for VinFast's production facilities, including ensuring that the new facility will have the necessary utilities (electricity, water, internal roads, drainage, and waste disposal) in place at the time of production. VinFast's proposed investment in India of $500 million will be eligible for various incentives and bene-fits provided under Tamil Nadu's industrial policies.The plant will allow VinFast to improve its local operations through greater access to local providers of goods and services and, in turn, to create job opportunities in Tamil Nadu.The plant will be capable of manufacturing vehicles on six global-standardised production lines, allowing for an initial annual production of 50,000 vehicles, increasing to approximately 150,000 vehicles after full capacity is reached.Pham Sanh Chau, CEO, Vingroup Asia and VinFast Asia stated that the new facility will allow VinFast to meet a wider range of customer needs and provide more jobs in the Tamil Nadu region. He added, "We believe Tamil Nadu will continue to serve as a strategic hub in our global expansion journey and support India's green mobility goals". IMRVINFAST TO INVEST $500M TO EXPAND TAMIL NADU EV MANUFACTURING
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