Russia and India Strengthen Smart City Cooperation: Outcomes of the Forum in New Delhi

On March 24, the 3rd Smart Cities Forum was held in New Delhi, becoming an important platform for developing Russian‑Indian cooperation in urban transformation and digital technologies.

The discussions focused on smart city development in the context of global digital transformation. Key emphasis was placed on building sustainable, technology‑driven, and value‑based models of urban development, as well as on creating joint approaches to financial architecture and strengthening a culture of trust as a critical economic resource. Particular attention was given to the role of cities as hubs for innovation, investment, and economic growth. The session was attended by representatives of government authorities, business circles, and expert communities from Russia and India.

A highlight of the session was the address by Sergey Cheremin, Minister of the Government of Moscow and Head of the Department for External Economic and International Relations. He spoke in detail about Moscow’s transformation and its experience in implementing smart city technologies.

“Moscow today is one of the most advanced and economically developed megacities in the world. This has been made possible by the implementation of a city development strategy adopted 15 years ago. At that time, no one believed that such a huge metropolis could be transformed into a truly comfortable environment, but we succeeded. Today, Moscow receives international awards every year. Just last year, the city received 60 international awards in various fields. This shows that we can share our experience with partners and remain advanced and competitive,” Cheremin noted.

He also highlighted the high level of economic interaction with India:

“Moscow is a reliable partner for India. Looking at the statistics, today the volume of trade turnover is around $38 billion. Total trade turnover reaches $62 billion, as noted by Russian President Vladimir Putin, with Moscow accounting for more than 50%. This demonstrates that Moscow is indeed actively engaging with Indian partners.”

As part of the forum, specialized sessions were held on key aspects of modern city development. The session “Smart City Financial Technologies” focused on creating an open and sustainable financial infrastructure, including the use of artificial intelligence, digital assets, and decentralized solutions. The session “A Culture of Trust: An Economy Built on Values” emphasized the importance of transparency, partnership, and a value‑based approach as the foundation for long‑term economic growth and social stability.

A roundtable was also held on “Russia‑India: Strategic Partnership in the Pharmaceutical Industry,” where participants discussed prospects for deepening cooperation, developing joint projects, and creating a favorable investment environment amid industry‑wide technological changes.

The 3rd Smart Cities Forum in New Delhi confirmed the high level of strategic interaction between Russia and India and identified new areas of cooperation in digital transformation and sustainable urban development. The forum proved to be an effective platform for exchanging experience, strengthening business ties, and developing joint solutions aimed at shaping the cities of the future.