https://sputniknews.in/20260325/india-russia-pioneering-smart-cities-and-local-currency-trade-10675975.html
India-Russia Pioneering Smart Cities and Local Currency Trade
India-Russia Pioneering Smart Cities and Local Currency Trade
Sputnik India
India and Russia continue to deepen collaboration across urban development and trade, with Russian expertise playing a pivotal role in India’s Smart Cities... 25.03.2026, Sputnik India
2026-03-25T20:08+0530
2026-03-25T20:08+0530
2026-03-26T20:10+0530
indo-russian relations
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vladimir putin
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The partnership highlights knowledge sharing on urban planning, technology, and governance, while also addressing solutions for trade under evolving global financial conditions.India has already implemented 100 Smart Cities, with command and control centers showcasing how data-driven governance can improve quality of life, ensure safety, and boost economic activity, he further said. Cities like Surat, Coimbatore, Udaipur, and Jaipur have seen dramatic urban improvements, from pedestrianized zones to upgraded marketplaces and enhanced public services, Jain stressed.On the trade front, cross-border financial collaboration between India and Russia has strengthened despite global sanctions. Local currency payments and new banking mechanisms are making cross-border transactions smoother, with opportunities to reinvest surplus funds into India’s infrastructure and Smart Cities program, Ankur Goel, Investment Advisor on Cross-Border Expansion Deals at Skewerup Capital Partners, stated.When we talk about export-import and sectors where privatization and SME cooperation are growing, this money can be effectively utilized for these trade opportunities that are already emerging, he highlighted. As President Vladimir Putin emphasized, the focus on technology and innovation, along with closer BRICS collaboration, is key, similarly, Prime Minister Modi highlighted how existing and pending funds are now being put to use, he emphasized.The ongoing partnership reflects a broader trend of BRICS countries exploring technological cooperation, innovation, and sustainable urban development. Both nations aim to replicate scalable models and best practices that strengthen governance, trade, and economic resilience in a rapidly changing global environment.
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India-Russia Pioneering Smart Cities and Local Currency Trade
20:08 25.03.2026 (Updated: 20:10 26.03.2026) India and Russia continue to deepen collaboration across urban development and trade, with Russian expertise playing a pivotal role in India’s Smart Cities program, experts told Sputnik India on the sidelines of the India-Russia Smart Cities Forum in Delhi.
The partnership highlights knowledge sharing on urban planning, technology, and governance, while also addressing solutions for trade under evolving global financial conditions.
"Moscow, as we saw, it's a beautiful, one of the best cities in the world, which is the metro expansion, the smart city projects, the urban landscape and transportation, the e-governance. All these are role models where every smart city in the world can contribute, learn and try to take best practices," said Rajeev Jain, Ex-Director General of the Press Information Bureau (PIB), told Sputnik India.
India has already implemented 100 Smart Cities, with command and control centers showcasing how data-driven governance can improve quality of life, ensure safety, and boost economic activity, he further said. Cities like Surat, Coimbatore, Udaipur, and Jaipur have seen dramatic urban improvements, from pedestrianized zones to upgraded marketplaces and enhanced public services, Jain stressed.
On the trade front, cross-border financial collaboration between India and Russia has strengthened despite global sanctions. Local currency payments and new banking mechanisms are making cross-border transactions smoother, with opportunities to reinvest surplus funds into India’s infrastructure and Smart Cities program, Ankur Goel, Investment Advisor on Cross-Border Expansion Deals at Skewerup Capital Partners, stated.
When we talk about export-import and sectors where privatization and SME cooperation are growing, this money can be effectively utilized for these trade opportunities that are already emerging, he highlighted. As President Vladimir Putin emphasized, the focus on technology and innovation, along with closer BRICS collaboration, is key, similarly, Prime Minister Modi highlighted how existing and pending funds are now being put to use, he emphasized.
"More and more banks like Sber, VTB are getting approvals and tie up with the Indian banks to make the transactions and the smooth movement of the monies. So we don't see any challenge now especially in the next five years," Goel underscored.
The ongoing partnership reflects a broader trend of BRICS countries exploring technological cooperation, innovation, and sustainable urban development. Both nations aim to replicate scalable models and best practices that strengthen governance, trade, and economic resilience in a rapidly changing global environment.
