Moscow – A symbolic handshake against the backdrop of the Kremlin and the Taj Mahal—this was the figurative atmosphere at the New Horizons – India Russia Strategic Partnership forum, which gathered the elite of the two nations’ business communities at the VEB Center on November 17, 2025.
Amid a period of global transformation, as the world searches for new anchors, the Russia-India partnership is demonstrating remarkable resilience and dynamism. It was this very strength that the forum sought to celebrate and advance. The event was organized by the SPEC Finance group of companies (India) and the Russia-India Chamber for Scientific, Cultural, and Commercial Collaboration (RIS3C), with support from the RASO Committee for International Cooperation and the Institute for Socio-Economic Design at HSE University.
From Words to Action: A Practical Platform for Cooperation
“I do not want the phenomenon of goodwill between our countries to become static. It must be constantly fueled by new ideas and impulses,” stated Ajay Kandimalla, Director of the Russian-Indian Chamber, setting the tone for the discussions.
And the momentum was immediate. The forum served as a working platform for dozens of agreements to emerge, joint projects to start, and, most importantly, human bridges to rise between the entrepreneurs and investors of both nations.
The Pillars of Partnership: Technology, Media, Education, Culture
Experts identified key areas for breakthrough collaboration:
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In the sphere of innovative technology and investment, participants agreed to establish a joint fund to finance startups in IT, biotechnology, and green energy. As noted by Aleksey Krylovskiy, President of AV Group: “We find ourselves in a unique historical situation where we can create the technologies of the future together.”
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Media communications emerged as a second critical theme. “The role of media is not merely to inform, but to create an environment of trust between our business communities,” emphasized Sergei Grachev, Rossiya Segodnya.
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Perhaps the most impressive breakthrough came in the field of education. Nikita Ponomarenko, a representative of the Agency for Strategic Initiatives, presented the unique “Pan-Asian MBA” program, which is already uniting students from both countries: “Participants in the program immediately gain access to a network of nearly 200 partners. This is not just an education—it is a social elevator for the future business leaders of Russia and India.”
- Veronika Tulaeva, a researcher of Indian philosophy and culture, added: “Both nations embody true multiculturalism—multinational, multilingual, and multi-confessional—yet they uphold a remarkable sense of national unity. This harmony amid diversity speaks to a deep-rooted spiritual foundation that binds their peoples together.”
Concrete Results and Future Prospects
The forum moved beyond general statements. Participants developed a roadmap for:
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Eliminating barriers in settlement and payment operations.
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Creating an environment of mutual trust between Russian and Indian businesses.
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Creating joint educational programs between universities.
The atmosphere of vibrant dialogue and business energy underscored the importance of such events for the development of multi-faceted relations.
In his concluding remarks, Kirill Kosminsky, General Director of Spec Investment, stated: “We did not just discuss cooperation—we launched specific mechanisms that will yield their first results in the coming months.”
The Moscow forum has become a starting point for a new stage in Russian-Indian relations—a stage defined by numerous projects and mutual investment. The series of business events will continue in India as early as December 2025, opening new horizons for the strategic partnership between these two great powers.
See the photos from the event here.
