In 2008 the $7 billion mark was reached. Despite negative world tendencies, in the first six months of 2009 trade increased by almost 18 percent on the same period last year. Machine building accounts for 49 percent of Russian exports to India.

Russia is due to build an additional four reactors for the Kudankulam nuclear power plant in India under a deal signed in 2008.

At the recent MAKS-2009 air show in Moscow, Russia's state arms exporter, Rosoboronexport, and India's Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) signed a contract for 26 RD-33 series 3 engines.

In August, India's defence industry handed over to the country's armed forces the first ten T-90 Bhishma main battle tanks assembled in India under a Russian licence.