Piyush Goyal: 'Largest BRICS Business Forum Ever Held' Under India

Discussions on India-Russia bilateral cooperation highlight key technological and strategic sectors, ranging from defence to civilian infrastructure. Panelists examine the changing nature of drone warfare, underscoring the necessity for a substantial inventory and future-proof technologies to counter sophisticated air defence systems. Beyond military hardware, bilateral engagement is expanding into civil aviation, railway coach manufacturing, and agricultural trade, including plans to manufacture civil aircraft in India. The strategic significance of tunnel boring machines (TBMs) is also highlighted as a critical dual-use technology. TBMs are vital for developing underground infrastructure and fortifications in high-altitude border regions across Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh. Such underground assets protect ammunition, fuel, and vehicles from drone strikes, enabling rapid military mobilisation along the Line of Actual Control and Line of Control.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin visited an exhibition at Bharat Mandapam showcasing India's cutting-edge science, indigenous defence technology, and space innovations. Accompanied by Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, the leaders reviewed private optical SAR satellites built by IIT Madras innovators, battle-proven drone killers, counter-drone systems, advanced radars, and unmanned underwater submersibles. Experts discussed deepening bilateral collaboration across defence and civilian domains, noting the $100 billion bilateral trade target set for 2030. Key strategic areas of interest included potential cooperation in automobiles, critical minerals, and mass production of military and civil jet-powered drones to bolster operational capabilities and offset defence voids.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a 45-minute bilateral meeting at Bharat Mandapam before touring the InnoProm exhibition together. The leaders arrived travelling in President Putin's armoured Aurus Senat limousine, a specialised vehicle built like a light tank. The exhibition highlighted major technological advancements alongside areas for bilateral cooperation, including tunnel boring machines, rare earth minerals, magnets, and fighter jet engine development. Discussions focused on advancing India's self-reliance under Atmanirbhar Bharat across high-technology frontiers and defence manufacturing. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and senior delegation officials accompanied the two leaders during their visit across the pavilion.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin concluded a 45-minute bilateral meeting before arriving together to visit an industrial and technology exhibition. The exhibition features cutting-edge science and technology from both India and Russia. Key Indian defense and technology systems on display include synthetic aperture radar satellites, tactical and integrated air defence radars, made-in-India drones, counter-drone systems, high-altitude clothing, and specialised nutrition for extreme climates. Russian equipment on display includes steel and tunnel boring machinery.