India, Russia sign protocol to boost industrial cooperation

India and Russia on Wednesday reaffirmed their strategic partnership and signed a key protocol to boost cooperation in sectors including aluminium, fertilizers, railways, and mining technology, during the 11th session of the India-Russia Working Group on Modernization and Industrial Cooperation. The meeting, held at Vanijya Bhawan in the capital, was co-chaired by Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) Secretary Amardeep Singh Bhatia and Russian Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Alexey Gruzdev. It was conducted under the framework of the India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological, and Cultural Cooperation.

Around 80 delegates from both nations — comprising senior officials, experts, and industry representatives — participated in the session. The two sides reviewed the progress since the 10th session and discussed collaborative projects across key sectors. Areas of focus included modernization, mining, fertilizers, railway transport, and newer domains such as aerospace technology, carbon fibre development, additive manufacturing, and 3D printing.

India and Russia also explored opportunities for joint development of small aircraft piston engines, establishment of a wind tunnel facility, extraction of rare earth and critical minerals, and underground coal gasification. “The discussions reinforced our shared vision to expand industrial cooperation and leverage each other’s strengths in emerging technologies and manufacturing,” the Commerce Ministry said in a statement. The session concluded with the signing of the official protocol by the co-chairs, reflecting the two countries’ continued commitment to deepen industrial engagement and technology transfer across strategic sectors.