India, Russia step up industrial cooperation in key sectors

New Delhi, August 8. India and Russia on August 7 reviewed progress in industrial cooperation and explored new areas of collaboration in sectors including railways, aerospace, critical minerals, fertilisers and advanced technologies, as the two countries seek to deepen their economic and industrial partnership.

The discussions took place during the 12th Session of the India-Russia Working Group on Modernisation and Industrial Cooperation under the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation at Vanijya Bhawan in New Delhi.

The meeting was co-chaired by Amardeep Singh Bhatia, Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), from the Indian side and Alexey Gruzdev, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of Russia, from the Russian side.

The two sides reviewed the progress made since the 11th session and discussed cooperation under various sub-groups dealing with modernisation, mining, fertilisers and railway transport.

The talks covered a wide range of sectors, including modern industrialisation, science and technology, aerospace, railway infrastructure, mineral fertilisers and chemicals, rare earth elements and critical minerals, power engineering, industrial infrastructure, mining equipment and aluminium.

The two sides also discussed cooperation in exploration and capacity building in rare earths, lithium mining and titanium technologies, besides a proposed joint venture for urea production.

India and Russia welcomed the expansion of cooperation in railway transport, including infrastructure facilities, the Vande Bharat train project and signalling equipment.

The meeting also explored collaboration in emerging and high-technology areas such as unmanned aerial systems, 3D printing, production of Russia’s SJ-100 regional aircraft and aero-engine technology.

Other areas discussed included carbon-fibre technologies and propulsion systems, supplies of DAP and NPK fertilisers, industrial automation, critical minerals, lithium mining and enhanced cooperation in aluminium and mining equipment.

The two countries also agreed to step up efforts for the exploration of rare earth elements, reflecting the growing importance of critical mineral supply chains to industrial and technological development.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Bhatia and Gruzdev signed the Protocol of the 12th Session of the Working Group, reaffirming the strategic India-Russia partnership and their commitment to expanding industrial and economic cooperation.

Around 60 delegates from India and Russia participated in the session.