XVI India–Russia Business Dialogue wraps up in Moscow
On 16 December, the Rossiya Segodnya International News Agency hosted the XVI India–Russia Business Dialogue at its press centre in Moscow. The event was attended by more than 1,250 government representatives, entrepreneurs, and members of the expert communities of Russia and India. The event has become a key platform for bilateral cooperation between the two countries, which is constantly being developed, including on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.
The Dialogue was organized by the Indian Business Alliance, the Business Council for Cooperation with India, the Government of Moscow, and the Roscongress Foundation.
The participants in the plenary session discussed the key areas of India–Russia interaction, including strategic cooperation; resolving trade issues; identifying new opportunities to balance trade turnover; ensuring logistical and financial stability; developing industrial cooperation and import substitution; establishing partnerships in energy, technology, and innovation; developing human capital and academic cooperation; and expanding cultural and regional interaction.
Minister of the Government of Moscow and Head of the Department for External Economic and International Relations of Moscow Sergey Cheremin noted the steady growth of business activity and the practical focus of Russia–India cooperation:
“Russia–India contacts are gaining momentum, with more than 50 business events being held over the past year. The current focus is on localizing Indian businesses in Russia, developing industrial cooperation, pharmaceuticals, electronics, and creative industries, as well as increasing mutual investment and supplies of hi-tech products.”
Russia and India have spent years building a multifaceted partnership that encompasses economics, industry, science, education, and culture. This is possible thanks to the numerous joint business, cultural, and humanitarian events that are held at the federal and regional levels, as well as to the active interaction between the business communities of the two countries.
President of the Indian Business Alliance (IBA) Sammy Kotwani pointed out that Indian companies are interested in cooperation with Russia for practical reasons: “The event reflects a new stage of strategic partnership between our countries – one that is practical, regionally oriented, and aimed at implementing specific projects. We have more than 1,250 registered participants, and the Russian regions are actively working with us, thus confirming the high level of trust and interest in long-term cooperation.
“Today, Russia and India are more than just trade partners, we are co-creators of production chains, human capital, and sustainable economic models against the backdrop of the changing world order .”
Speaking at the plenary session, Deputy CEO of the Roscongress Foundation and Director of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum Alexey Valkov stressed the importance of SPIEF as a key international platform for developing practical cooperation:
“India is a regular and key participant in Roscongress Foundation events. We are consistently developing the Russia–India dialogue, both at events held in Russia, and at the Foundation’s visiting events.
“On 4–5 December, the Russia–India Business Forum, which was organized by the Roscongress Foundation at the behest of the President of the Russian Federation, was held in New Delhi. This format of interaction reflects the high level of trust that exists between our countries and creates additional opportunities for developing practical cooperation, including projects that involve SMEs, for which SPIEF offers special conditions.”
The Forum also addressed issues of expanding investment cooperation, developing financial instruments, deepening technological cooperation, and implementing joint projects in industry, energy, pharmaceuticals, and the digital economy.
Those in attendance noted that the further development of cooperation between Russia and India, as well as the implementation of joint business projects, would continue at major international events, including the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum scheduled for 3–6 June 2026.