Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s joint visit to the INNOPROM Exhibition at Bharat Mandapam highlighted India-Russia industrial cooperation, with both leaders reaffirming a $100 billion (₹8,33,000 crores) bilateral trade target by 2030.

The two leaders travelled together in a car to Bharat Mandapam after their bilateral talks, underscoring the personal rapport between them. Their visit to INNOPROM followed discussions on expanding economic ties, with the ambitious trade target forming a central theme. The exhibition itself has become a platform for strengthening industrial collaboration, particularly in sectors such as railways, tunnelling, steel, and broader B2B opportunities.

INNOPROM, known as the International Industrial Exhibition, is a global forum that connects manufacturers and buyers. It provides opportunities to showcase cutting-edge technologies, expand access to international markets, and foster productive networking. The decision to bring INNOPROM to India reflects the growing importance of industrial cooperation with Russia and the potential for joint ventures in critical sectors.

Russian exhibitors presented advanced technologies, including models of nuclear power plants with VVER-1200 reactor units, composite products for gas storage and transportation, master alloys and powders made from rare-earth metals, and models of modern aircraft and helicopters.

Heavy construction machinery such as tracked excavators and backhoe loaders were also displayed, alongside automated storage systems, collaborative robots, and intelligent transport management systems. These exhibits highlighted Russia’s technological capabilities and its willingness to deepen industrial partnerships with India.

Putin arrived in New Delhi earlier in the day, welcomed by Union Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh. His visit coincides with India’s hosting of the 18th BRICS Summit on September 12–13, under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.” India’s chairship focuses on development, sustainability, and innovation, with BRICS serving as a platform for advancing the interests of the Global South in multilateral institutions.

BRICS now comprises 11 countries: Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the UAE. Collectively, the grouping represents nearly half of the global population, 40 per cent of global GDP, and 26 per cent of global trade. India’s leadership comes at a time of global economic fragmentation, technological disruption, and geopolitical uncertainty, with its chairship aimed at translating expanded representation into tangible cooperation and consensus-building.

The INNOPROM Exhibition at Bharat Mandapam thus served as both a symbolic and practical demonstration of India-Russia cooperation. It reinforced the strategic partnership, showcased technological collaboration, and set the stage for broader discussions at the BRICS Summit.

ANI