Moscow Days Held in Delhi
The Moscow Days program has concluded in Delhi, showcasing the broad potential of Russian‑Indian cooperation in the economic, cultural, and humanitarian spheres. The event was organized by the Department for External Economic and International Relations of Moscow, the Business Council for Cooperation with India, and the Moscow Centre for International Cooperation, with the active participation of Russian and Indian government agencies, business associations, and educational institutions.
The plenary session with the participation of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with subsequent discussions, confirmed the commitment of Moscow and Indian states to developing practical cooperation and establishing sustainable partnership mechanisms. Sergey Cheremin, Minister of the Government of Moscow and Head of the Department for External Economic and International Relations, took part in the plenary session.
The central event of the Moscow Days program was the Russian‑Indian Business Forum, organized by the Roscongress Foundation and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, with the Moscow Government and the Department for External Economic and International Relations as partners. The forum brought together representatives of government authorities, expert communities, and business circles from both countries. The official opening and subsequent discussions confirmed the commitment of Moscow and Indian states to developing practical cooperation and creating sustainable partnership mechanisms. Over two days, participants discussed the promotion of Indian business in the Russian market, conditions for expanding industrial cooperation, the prospects of a free trade agreement between the EAEU and India, and the development of new logistics routes. Particular attention was paid to the development of production clusters, expanding trade turnover, and creating an environment conducive to the localization of Indian companies in Russia.
Sergey Cheremin spoke in key sessions of the business program. During the session “Russia – India: Building Sustainable Chains of Cooperation in Trade and Industry,” dedicated to exploring new opportunities for expanding bilateral economic interaction, Cheremin emphasized the importance of the Russian capital in bilateral economic cooperation and noted that Moscow’s share of foreign trade turnover with India stands at $38 billion. He also expressed the capital’s readiness to develop ties with India’s largest states, including Delhi and Maharashtra. Summing up the forum’s work, participants noted the constructive nature of the dialogue and confirmed their readiness to expand practical cooperation.
One of the significant areas of discussion was international labour migration. During the specialized session “Personnel is Everything: New Opportunities for Labour Migration in the Context of Russian‑Indian Cooperation,” participants examined the growing interest of the Russian market in attracting skilled professionals from India, the economy’s requirements for workforce training, conditions for the adaptation of foreign workers, and prospects for increasing migration flows. Sergey Cheremin stressed that migration from India could become an important resource for Russian industries, noting that in 2025 approximately 35,000 Indian citizens arrived in Russia, out of a quota of 72,000.
The cultural segment complemented the business program and helped strengthen humanitarian dialogue between the two capitals. Wide interest was generated by the exhibition and series of masterclasses by Russian artists Sergei and Maxim Sidorenko, whose work reflects the contemporary development of the realistic painting school. The opening of Moscow Days was accompanied by a gala reception featuring performances by Russian and Indian creative ensembles, creating an atmosphere of friendship and mutual respect. Guests were welcomed by Sergey Cheremin, who emphasized the importance of cultural dialogue for strengthening ties between the two countries.
Cheremin also took part in the opening of the personal immersive exhibition “Dream Vision” by People’s Artist of Russia Nikas Safronov. The exhibition includes over 100 works, including a series created specifically for the Indian audience.
Considerable attention was paid to educational cooperation. Events marking the 60th anniversary of the Centre for Russian Studies were held at Jawaharlal Nehru University. Students studying Russian took part in an intellectual game on the Russian language, and the university received a collection of Russian‑language literature. These initiatives aim to support the growing interest of Indian youth in learning Russian and to develop academic ties that help train professionals for Russian‑Indian projects.
An important element of the program was a friendly golf tournament held at the Delhi Golf Club, bringing together athletes from Russia and India. Before the competition, the Moscow team held a practice session under the guidance of the club’s senior coach, Nonita Lal. The tournament became a symbol of sports exchange and the strengthening of informal ties between the two countries. The sports program concluded with a gala awards ceremony. The festive atmosphere was enhanced by performances by the folk ensemble “Lyubo‑Milo,” who performed Russian folk and Cossack songs.
As part of the official visit program of the Moscow delegation to the Republic of India, a working meeting was held with the leadership of the PATANJALI Group – a leading national conglomerate whose activities encompass the production of Ayurvedic medicines, natural food products, and beauty products. As a result of the meeting, a Cooperation Program was signed between the Business Council for Cooperation with India and PATANJALI Group, aimed at developing a long‑term partnership.
Moscow Days in India proved to be a large‑scale platform for strengthening bilateral ties, confirming the interest of both Russia and India in expanding cooperation across all key areas. The events demonstrated the high level of trust between the countries, growing interest in cultural traditions, and the significant economic potential of the partnership. The outcomes of the program provide a foundation for the further development of joint projects and the strengthening of dialogue between Moscow and the Indian regions.