New Delhi, Dec. 6 -- As India laid out the red carpet for Russian President Vladimir Putin, a remarkable piece of the historically robust bilateral relations has been their extensive and diverse joint statement at the end of the 23rd annual summit. While defense cooperation remains a cornerstone of the India-Russia relationship, the two countries have clearly decided to diversify in the realms of trade and commerce, civil nuclear and space, energy, transport, science and technology, and even film production and labour mobility.

Beyond the pomp and circumstance of Putin being hosted for a grand reception ceremony on the forecourt of the presidential palace or Rashtrapati Bhavan during the day on Friday and a state dinner in the evening, t...