India–Russia agricultural trade has seen a sharp upswing, driven by a surge in wheat gluten imports. Between January and September 2025, Russia’s wheat gluten exports to India rose nearly ninefold to over 1,500 tonnes, with the trade value increasing sevenfold to around USD 1.7 million (₹14 crore). This marks a significant expansion in agricultural cooperation between the two countries. India now ranks as the fourth-largest importer of Russian wheat gluten, following Norway, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia. The rising imports highlight India’s growing processed food and bakery industry, where demand for high-quality ingredients is increasing rapidly. Wheat gluten, also known as vital wheat gluten, enhances the elasticity, texture, and shelf life of bakery products like bread and buns. With urban food consumption growing and modern bakeries expanding, the need for such functional ingredients has risen sharply. Many Indian companies are now exploring domestic production of wheat gluten to reduce import dependency and strengthen local manufacturing capabilities. For Russia, this trade expansion has created new opportunities for its farmers and processors, while for India, it supports quality improvement and technological advancement in food processing. Experts believe this trend will continue, further strengthening agro-processing trade between India and Russia. It also signals India’s emergence as a technologically advanced food producer, moving beyond being just a consumer in global agricultural trade.