Organized by the Roscongress Foundation, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), and India's Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the event was a significant platform for strengthening economic ties between the two countries. The forum featured high-level participation, including President Vladimir Putin, who is currently on a state visit to India, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The event's core objective was to explore and expand multifaceted cooperation between Russia and India. In his keynote address, President Putin stressed that the forum was not just about energy deals but about fostering comprehensive, multi-sectoral relations with India. "We want to develop relations across various sectors, not just focus on oil and gas," Putin said, underscoring the strategic importance of a long-term partnership between the two nations. He emphasized that this forum was designed to showcase opportunities for deepened cooperation in sectors such as technology, healthcare, trade, and innovation.
Prime Minister Modi echoed Putin’s sentiments, highlighting the vital role of mutual trust in the India-Russia partnership. "The greatest strength in India–Russia relations is precisely our mutual trust. It is reciprocal and drives our efforts forward," Modi remarked, adding that both nations must not only focus on increasing bilateral trade but also work together to find long-term solutions to global challenges.
The opening day featured a strategic session titled "Sell to Russia: New Opportunities for Indian Business," where top officials from both sides discussed potential pathways for strengthening trade and industrial ties. Maxim Oreshkin, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Russian Presidential Executive Office, emphasized Russia’s intention to significantly increase its imports from India, calling it a "strategic choice" that would play a key role in the development of both countries. He also acknowledged India’s importance as one of the world’s key economic drivers, particularly in the context of the country’s technological advancements and robust demographic trends.
Key discussions at the forum revolved around expanding Indian companies' footprint in the Russian market, exploring high-tech partnerships, and enhancing the trade of Indian pharmaceuticals and food products to Russia. Side meetings also focused on joint ventures, developing new supply chains, and facilitating the movement of skilled labor between the two nations.
Several cooperation agreements and memorandums of understanding were formalized during the forum, covering a broad range of sectors.
The forum was sponsored by VTB Bank and Sber, with support from Russian business institutions like Rosatom and Ingosstrakh, as well as Indian organizations including ASSOCHAM and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). The event’s cultural program was supported by the Moscow Government and the Department for External Economic and International Relations of Moscow, further strengthening the ties between the two nations.