As India and Russia deepen their Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership, collaboration across strategic sectors plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of bilateral economic ties. This session explores high-impact opportunities to build resilient supply chains and accelerate industrial growth. Discussions will focus on joint ventures, localization under the 'Make in India' initiative, and technology exchange across critical sectors.

Expanding trade and economic cooperation between Russia and India requires modern infrastructure that enables the seamless movement of goods and financial flows. The development of transport corridors, digitalization of trade procedures, and improved financial mechanisms and banking cooperation can help reduce costs and enhance business competitiveness.

Key Discussion Topics:

• How can cross-border trade between Russia and India be made faster and more convenient for businesses?
• What financial solutions are needed to facilitate cross-border payments and expand the use of national currencies?
• How can the development of transport corridors, customs procedures and digital tools help reduce costs and accelerate trade?

In recent years, entrepreneurial activity in India has been growing rapidly. India is emerging as one of the most dynamic markets for the development of new technologies and industrial manufacturing. Additive technologies are breaking down barriers between industries and countries, making it possible to turn a digital model into a finished product virtually anywhere in the world. For Russia–India cooperation, this creates an opportunity to move beyond the traditional “supplier–buyer” model towards joint development of the additive manufacturing sector. Russia and India can combine their expertise in equipment and materials manufacturing, technology development and industrial applications, creating new opportunities for companies from both countries.

Key Discussion Topics:

• How can Russian expertise be combined with India’s manufacturing capabilities and rapidly growing market?
• What regulatory mechanisms could accelerate Russia–India cooperation in additive manufacturing?
• What should be the outcome of Russia–India cooperation to ensure that joint solutions — from 3D printers and scanners to materials and software — are in demand not only in India but also across other Global South markets?

Critical minerals and materials derived from them are becoming increasingly important for the development of metallurgy, energy, engineering and other high-technology industries, as well as for ensuring technological sovereignty. Russia and India possess complementary resource, industrial and technological capabilities that can support the development of new industrial cooperation chains – from geological exploration and mineral development to deep processing, production of advanced materials and high-value-added products. The session will explore promising areas of cooperation in critical minerals and materials, opportunities to diversify and strengthen the resilience of supply chains, implement joint investment and technology projects, and build long-term partnerships that contribute to strengthening the industrial and technological sovereignty of Russia and India.

The steel sector remains a cornerstone of industrial development, infrastructure growth, and manufacturing competitiveness. India and Russia possess complementary strengths across the steel value chain, including raw material security, metallurgical technologies, production capabilities, and downstream applications. Strengthening cooperation in the steel sector can create new opportunities for investment, technology exchange, sustainable production practices, and supply chain resilience. Enhanced collaboration between the two countries can support industrial modernization, foster innovation in advanced steel products, and contribute to deeper long-term economic and strategic partnerships.

Civil aviation is one of the promising areas of Russia–India industrial cooperation. The development of regional aviation in India under the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiative and the “Make in India” program creates opportunities for joint projects, localization of production, and long-term technological cooperation.

Computing infrastructure is becoming one of the key pillars of technological sovereignty: access to computing capacity, data, AI models, energy, standards and talent determines the resilience of AI development. For Russia and India, this creates opportunities for cooperation — from jointly developing computing infrastructure and sharing data to creating homegrown AI solutions and standards.

Key Discussion Topics:

• Which elements of AI infrastructure should Russia and India develop independently, and where would cooperation be most effective?
• Which joint projects involving Russia, India and BRICS countries — in computing capacity, data, standards or AI solutions — could reduce dependence on global suppliers?
• How can Russia and India leverage the development of their own AI models, as well as photonic and quantum computing, to build a competitive technological foundation?

Russia and India are entering a new stage of strategic partnership. The goal set by the leaders of the two countries to increase bilateral trade to USD 100 billion by 2030 opens up new opportunities for strengthening economic ties and implementing joint projects. Expanding mutual market access, developing e-commerce, modern financial infrastructure and international transport corridors create a foundation for further growth in trade, investment and industrial cooperation between the two countries.

Key Discussion Topics:

• What areas will shape the development of Russia–India strategic partnership in the long term?
• What mechanisms can ensure the growth of bilateral trade and investment between Russia and India?
• How can business participation in joint projects and the creation of new economic growth opportunities be expanded?

Featuring:

• Anton Alikhanov, Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation
• Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of India