The Delegation of the Government of Moscow Visits India: Expanding Strategic Partnership in Smart Cities and High Technology

The delegation of the Government of Moscow headed by Sergey Cheremin, Minister of the Government of Moscow and Head of the Department for External Economic and International Relations of Moscow, has concluded its visit to India. During the trip, representatives of the Moscow Government took part in key international events dedicated to digitalization, sustainable development of megacities, and Russian‑Indian cooperation.

The visit program began on March 23 in New Delhi with participation in the Smart Cities India Expo 2026 international exhibition. During the event, Sergey Cheremin spoke at the opening ceremony, “India’s Impact: Tech Today. Transformation Tomorrow,” which was also attended by Shri Anil Kumar Lahoti, Chairman of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), and Dr. Neeraj Kharwal, IAS, Managing Director of the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO). In his remarks, Sergey Cheremin noted that Moscow is participating in the exhibition for the third time, consistently showcasing advanced technological solutions.

He also emphasized that the capital is one of the world leaders in smart city technologies. Significant investments in recent years in digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence, big data analytics, and intelligent transport systems have substantially improved the efficiency of metropolitan governance and the quality of the urban environment.

Special attention was paid to the strategic nature of Russian‑Indian cooperation. It was noted that Russia is an important partner for India not only in energy but also in agriculture, mechanical engineering, and high technology, with particular emphasis on digital transformation and the development of safe and smart cities.

On the same day, the Moscow stand was opened, featuring leading Moscow companies and organizations operating in high technology and urban innovation, including SberCity, VisionLabs, Logos, Element Group, Basalt SPO, the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT), Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, and Oxygen Technologies Rus. Their developments cover digitalization, transport, ecology, and urban security.

On March 24, the 3rd Smart Cities Forum was held in New Delhi, serving as an important platform for discussing prospects for Russian‑Indian cooperation. The focus was on building sustainable, technology‑driven, and value‑based models of urban development, as well as developing joint approaches to financial architecture and strengthening a culture of trust.

During the forum, Sergey Cheremin presented Moscow’s transformation experience, noting that the capital has become one of the world’s most advanced and economically developed megacities thanks to the implementation of a long‑term strategy. He stressed that over recent years the city has managed to create a comfortable urban environment, confirmed by international recognition: over the past year, Moscow has received numerous international awards in urban management and digitalization.

He also highlighted the development of economic ties with India: Moscow accounts for more than 50% of total trade turnover between the two countries, which reached $62 billion in 2025.

The forum featured specialized sessions on financial technologies and cooperation in the pharmaceutical industry. Participants discussed the implementation of artificial intelligence and digital solutions in urban governance, as well as economic measures to ensure the sustainable growth of megacities.

Concurrently, from March 23 to 26, the World Public Summit “A New World: India in the Architecture of a Common Future” was held in Delhi, organized by the World Assembly of Peoples and the BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The Moscow delegation took part in the plenary session on March 25, presenting its vision for the development of international interregional cooperation and emphasizing the role of megacities in shaping a new humanitarian architecture. It was noted that interaction between Russia’s and India’s regions shows consistent positive momentum, and Moscow, as one of the largest economies, is open to developing long‑term partnerships.

On March 25, as part of the official program, Sergey Cheremin held a meeting with the Mayor of Delhi, Raja Iqbal Singh. During the conversation, Cheremin confirmed the readiness of the Government of Moscow to further deepen cooperation with the Indian capital and proposed signing a cooperation program between the Government of Moscow and the National Capital Territory of Delhi.

The final stage of the visit was a trip to Mumbai, where a meeting was held with Sanjay Mukherjee, Commissioner of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). Following the talks, an agreement was signed – a Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Moscow, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority, and the Department of Urban Development of the Government of Maharashtra. The document formalizes the parties’ intentions to develop cooperation in sustainable urban development, the economy, culture, and tourism.

In 2027, the 80th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and India will be celebrated. As part of the anniversary year, “Moscow Days in India” are planned, which will mark an important milestone in the development of bilateral ties.

Sergey Cheremin, Head of the Department for External Economic and International Relations, extended an invitation to the leadership of Delhi and Mumbai to take part in the International Municipal BRICS Forum, to be held in late November 2026 in Moscow.

The visit of the delegation of the Government of Moscow to India confirmed the high level of strategic partnership between the two countries, demonstrating the Russian capital’s leadership in digitalization and smart cities. The key practical outcome was the signing of a memorandum of cooperation with Indian partners, laying a solid foundation for long‑term interaction in sustainable urban development. The visit contributed to deepening the Russian‑Indian dialogue and to achieving trade turnover targets, reaffirming Moscow’s status as a reliable and technologically advanced partner on the international stage.