Directions for Russia-India investment cooperation defined at the National Centre RUSSIA
The 9th meeting of the Russia-India Working Group on
Priority Investment Projects took place at the National Centre RUSSIA in
Moscow. Participants discussed the current state of bilateral projects and
identified prospects for the development of investment cooperation. The meeting
was co-chaired by Vladimir Ilyichev, Deputy Minister of Economic Development of
Russia, and Amardeep Singh Bhatia, Deputy Minister of Commerce and Industry of
India.
"We greatly value our strategic partnership with India. Our cooperation
holds significant potential. Over the past five years, our trade turnover has
increased more than sixfold. Nevertheless, a substantial imbalance in trade
persists, and its structure remains insufficiently diversified. Strengthening
investment cooperation between our countries could become one of the key solutions
to the task of diversifying the structure of mutual trade," noted Vladimir
Ilyichev.
The parties noted steady growth in accumulated mutual investments. An important condition for further development of cooperation is the conclusion of a new Russian-Indian agreement on the promotion and protection of investments, which would provide guarantees for the protection of property rights and commercial interests of investors.
During the meeting, a list of promising projects was drawn up, covering areas such as metallurgy, mechanical engineering, mining, pharmaceuticals, scientific and technical cooperation, and others. Following the meeting, a Protocol was signed, recording the parties' agreements on project implementation.
In addition, the National Centre RUSSIA hosted the Russian-Indian Investment Forum, aimed at showcasing the potential of the two countries and promoting joint business initiatives. The opening ceremony was attended by Vladimir Ilyichev, Deputy Minister of Economic Development of Russia; Amardeep Singh Bhatia, Deputy Minister of Commerce and Industry of India; Alexander Sitnikov, representative of the Russian Ministry of Economic Development in India; and Vinay Kumar, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of India to Russia.
"The leaders of our countries have set an ambitious goal — to achieve $100 billion in mutual trade by 2030. To strengthen our economic partnership, we need more joint projects, investments, local production and direct links between companies. That is precisely why today's forum is so timely," said Vladimir Ilyichev.
India is one of Russia's key economic partners. Russia, for its part, is ready to offer investors a large market, a developed industrial base, abundant natural resources and access to the EAEU market. At the same time, businesses need not declarations but predictable operating conditions. That is why Russia is building a comprehensive investment promotion system based on the "single window" principle: it provides entrepreneurs with comprehensive support at every stage — from initial discussion of an idea to the launch of full-scale production.
Russia has a wide range of practical tools for investors. These include 61 special economic zones (SEZs) and project financing mechanisms, including the "Project Finance Factory" with the participation of VEB.RF. Today, more than 100 foreign companies from 34 countries, including Indian companies, operate in Russian SEZs.
Forum participants confirmed their mutual interest in deepening cooperation in
areas such as metallurgy, infrastructure projects, mechanical engineering,
pharmaceuticals, information technology and tourism. Following the event, the
parties intend to continue their work within existing bilateral formats,
including the Working Group on Trade and Economic Cooperation, as well as the
Subgroup on Removing Barriers and Restrictions.
On 3 July, the National Centre RUSSIA hosted the awards ceremony for Season VI of the All-Russian competition of sports projects "You're in the Game".
A new episode of the educational video project named "8 Steps Across the Map of Russia" is now available on the website of the National Centre RUSSIA.
Eight halls of the exposition show how our country became what it is today.
