India and Russia reviewed and explored ways to expand cooperation in railways, aerospace, critical minerals, fertilizers, mining and advanced technologies at the 12th Session of the India-Russia Working Group on Modernization and Industrial Cooperation held in New Delhi on Friday.
The meeting, held under the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation, reviewed progress made since the 11th session and discussed collaboration across various areas of modernization, mining, fertilizers and railway transport.
The Indian delegation was co-chaired by Amardeep Singh Bhatia, Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, while the Russian side was led by Alexey Gruzdev, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of Russia.
Railway cooperation emerged as a key area of discussion, with both sides welcoming new opportunities involving railway infrastructure, the Vande Bharat train project and signalling equipment. The discussions reflected the two countries’ efforts to expand industrial and technological cooperation in the railway sector.
The two sides also discussed cooperation in aerospace, including the potential production of Russia’s SJ-100 regional aircraft and collaboration in aero-engine technologies. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), 3-D printing, carbon-fibre technologies and propulsion systems were among the other advanced technology areas discussed.
Critical minerals and rare earth elements also featured prominently in the talks. The two sides explored cooperation in lithium mining, titanium technologies, exploration and capacity building related to rare earth elements, as well as broader collaboration in the aluminium sector and mining equipment.
The discussions also covered mineral fertilizers and chemicals, including DAP and NPK fertilizer supplies and a proposed joint venture for urea production. Power engineering, industrial infrastructure, automation and other areas of modern industrialisation were also part of the agenda.
The Working Group reviewed cooperation under existing sub-groups and sought to expand collaboration in science and technology, mining, railway transport, fertilizers and industrial development.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the co-chairs signed the Protocol of the 12th Session of the Working Group, reaffirming the strategic partnership between India and Russia and their commitment to deepening industrial and economic cooperation.
Around 60 delegates from India and Russia participated in the session.
