This article covers trade between India and Ukraine, cooperation in science and technology, and India's medical and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, both before and after the conflict that broke out in February 2022. It draws on the MEA brief of August 2024 on India-Ukraine relations, so the figures describe the position as of that date.

Bilateral trade

According to the MEA brief of August 2024, bilateral trade had grown steadily, reaching US$ 3.386 billion in 2021-22 according to the Department of Commerce of the Government of India. The brief states that trade declined in the last two years because of the challenges posed by the Russia-Ukraine conflict, including logistical issues.

The brief gives these figures for the last 5 years, in US$ millions, from the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry:

  • 2019-20: Indian exports 463.81, imports from Ukraine 2060.79, total trade 2765.14
  • 2020-21: Indian exports 450.97, imports from Ukraine 2139.86, total trade 2590.83
  • 2021-22: Indian exports 472.68, imports from Ukraine 2913.61, total trade 3386.29
  • 2022-23: Indian exports 132.68, imports from Ukraine 650.26, total trade 782.94
  • 2023-24: Indian exports 173, imports from Ukraine 540, total trade 713

Goods traded

The main items of export from Ukraine to India are vegetable oils, other cereals, coal, coke and briquettes, oil meals and pulses. The major Indian exports to Ukraine are pharmaceuticals, miscellaneous processed items, auto tyres and tubes, coffee, and products of iron and steel.

In value terms, India is the third largest exporter of pharmaceutical products to Ukraine, after Germany and France.

Science and technology

An agreement on cooperation in the fields of S&T was first signed between India and Ukraine in 1992 and renewed in 2012. A JWG constituted at the first meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission takes forward S&T cooperation. The JWG has met 8 times, most recently virtually on 20 June 2024.

After the 7th meeting in 2018, both sides agreed to support 10 joint projects in metals and material sciences, computational science, earth and environmental sciences, aerospace engineering and biological sciences.

Medical assistance before 2022

The brief records the following medical assistance from India:

  • December 2017: medicines and serums worth INR 5.2 crores, given as humanitarian assistance to the Government of Ukraine at the request of its Ministry of Health, to treat cases of botulism, rabies, tetanus and other conditions
  • May 2020: 30,000 tablets of Hydroxychloroquine to help combat the spread of COVID-19, together with Oseltamivir and Atazanavir tablets to assist the Ukrainian Public Health System
  • May 2020: vaccines for Cholera, Typhoid and Meningococcal disease and Mefloquin tablets for Malaria, provided to the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine for the Ukrainian contingent going on a United Nations Peace Keeping Mission to the Democratic Republic of Congo

The brief also states that Ukraine began its vaccination drive against COVID-19 a day after receiving 500,000 doses of Covishield vaccine from India.

Humanitarian assistance since February 2022

According to the brief, India was among the first countries to begin providing humanitarian assistance to Ukraine after the conflict broke out in February 2022. Since then, the Government of India has provided 16 consignments measuring over 135 tons of humanitarian aid to Ukraine and neighbouring countries.

The consignments comprised generator sets, medicines, medical equipment, blankets, tents, sleeping bags and tarpaulin, among other items.

India has also provided financial assistance to the Kyiv Gymnasium of Oriental Language No. 1 for the reconstruction, remodelling and refurbishment of some of its classrooms. It has also funded a programme of the Ukraine-India association aimed at restoring the psychological health of youth and children.

In addition, Indian pharmaceutical companies have donated more than US$ 10 million worth of medical aid and financial assistance to Ukraine. The brief adds that many other Indians and Indian organisations have provided food and other humanitarian relief to the people of Ukraine.