India-Russia Forum 2025 : Advancing a Future-Ready Partnership through Technology, Trade and Human Capital

By Tribhuvan Darbari

The India-Russia Forum 2025 being held on 4-5 December in New Delhi, organised by The Roscongress Foundation represents more than an international forum-it is a platform that reflects decades of shared strategic purpose between two nations. I see this Forum as a vital milestone in a journey that I have been closely associated with across multiple institutional and technological engagements.

At the heart of this progressing partnership lies the visionary leadership of Hon’ble President of Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, Hon’ble Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi and Hon’ble External Affairs Minister of India - Dr. S. Jaishankar whose strategic clarity and diplomatic consistency have shaped the modern India-Russia relationship. President Putin’s and PM Modi's long-term commitment to technological sovereignty, secure energy collaboration and defence innovation has ensured stability and continuity in our engagement. Prime Minister Modi’s focus on Atmanirbhar Bharat, digital transformation and resilient supply chains has created new pathways for joint industrial growth and diversified trade. Dr. S. Jaishankar’s steady, mature and principle-driven diplomacy has given structure to this partnership-balancing global complexities while ensuring that India-Russia cooperation remains future-oriented, pragmatic and deeply respectful of each other’s strategic priorities.

Over the years, I have had the privilege of contributing to this partnership through responsibilities as Chairman India-Russia Business Council, Chairman National Part of the SCO Business CouncilSecretariat and through my involvement in the Russian technological ecosystem. These engagements have given me a deep and personal understanding of the immense possibilities that lie ahead for our bilateral cooperation

India-RussiaEconomic Transformation: A Journey I Have Witnessed First-Hand

In the past two decades our bilateral trade has reached historic highs. This progress has reaffirmed my belief that our partnership is built on trust, strategic depth and an unwavering commitment to shared prosperity. The Forum’s inaugural strategic session 'Sell to Russia : New Opportunities for Indian Business' resonates deeply with my consistent efforts to promote : Diversified bilateral trade, balanced export structures, engineering goods, digital services, defence technology and more. Russia’s expanding demand for Indian products, combined with our competitive manufacturing capabilities, opens new avenues for long-term, scalable industrial partnerships.

Among all discussions, the panel on 'India and Russia: Cooperation in Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technologies' stands out as one of the most future-defining. India’s success in: Digital public infrastructure, Scalable AI deployment, Cyber-resilient digital systems, Mass digital literacy, perfectly complements Russia’s leadership in: Advanced computing, Secure, high-speed communication technologies, Deep fundamental research, Defence-Grade digital innovation. 

My work as Managing Director Russtech Development Pvt. Ltd and associations as Ambassador (International Relations) Federal Railway Transport Agency - Emperor Alexander I St. Petersburg State Transport University have continuously reinforced my conviction that India and Russia can co-develop sovereign digital solutions, next-generation AI systems, smart city technologies and industrial automation frameworks. The Forum is an important step in taking this vision forward.

The session 'People Are the Ultimate Resource' highlights an important area of structured labour mobility and youth empowerment. Russia’s demand for skilled professionals in: Construction, Oil & Gas, Transportation, Engineering, Digital Services, Manufacturing creates an important opportunity for India’s talent pool.

Through SCO mechanisms and institutional partnerships I have consistently worked to strengthen frameworks for: Skill alignment, Faster legal pathways Socio-cultural orientation programs, Employer-ready workforce preparation, academic and youth exchange platforms. I firmly believe that human capital is the most powerful bridge between our two nations.

Throughout my professional journey-whether as Chairman of India Russia Business Council and National Part of the SCO Business Council Secretariat my focus has remained steadfast: Building strong technological bridges, Facilitating smoother and balanced trade flows, Promoting joint R&D and co-development, Enabling SME and startup ecosystems, Advancing labour mobility and academic exchanges.

In my view, India-Russia partnership is not only transactional-it is transformational and India-Russia Forum 2025 is not just a gathering of experts and officials but a reaffirmation of our shared resolve to shape the future of India-Russia economic integration. This year’s deliberations carry immense significance. They reaffirm our belief that the India-Russia partnership will continue to evolve-becoming more technologically empowered, economically balanced and deeply people-centric.

I am fortunate to contribute to this journey, I look forward to the Forum strengthening our resolve, widening our collaboration and building lasting bridges between our industries, institutions and societies.