Young Indians continue to view Russia as a reliable and important long-term partner, according to findings presented at an expert dialogue hosted by Sber during the XI Eastern Economic Forum.
The discussion, titled “Russia–India: Developing Technological Partnerships to Enhance Business Sustainability,” was moderated by Alexander Vedyakhin, First Deputy Chairman of the Management Board of Sberbank. Participants examined opportunities in investment, logistics, pharmaceuticals, information technology, manufacturing, exports and workforce development.
Opening the session, Vedyakhin cited research by the Observer Research Foundation on the attitudes of India’s young urban population toward major international partners. Russia ranked first in satisfaction with the current state of bilateral relations, at 72%, compared with 69% for Japan, 56% for the United States and 31% for China. The same proportion of respondents—72%—identified Russia as a likely leading partner for India over the next decade.
Vedyakhin emphasized that the stability of the figures was particularly significant. Russia’s rating was 73% a year earlier, while satisfaction with relations with the United States fell from 86% to 56%. He said the results demonstrated Russia’s strong reputational capital among India’s educated youth, but added that this goodwill must be converted into practical cooperation, including goods on store shelves, joint employment, easier travel and clearly defined business projects.
He also highlighted the importance of a new Russia–India investment agreement, saying it could provide investors with additional guarantees and stimulate bilateral capital flows. Russia currently accounts for less than 1% of India’s total investment volume. However, interest in Indian real estate is growing. Institutional investment reached $4.5 billion in the first half of 2026, up 50% year on year, with office property attracting more than 40% of the total. Sber has acquired two business centers in New Delhi, with the project scheduled for completion in 2028.
Transport and trade were also central topics. Igor Levitin, Advisor to the President of the Russian Federation and Special Representative for International Cooperation in Transport, noted that Russia continues to supply oil to India, while India has begun exporting gasoline to Russia. Mineral fertilizers represent the largest current cargo flow, totaling 6.5 million tons and helping to reduce the trade imbalance.
Ashish Kumar Chauhan, CEO of the National Stock Exchange of India, described India as the world’s fastest-growing major economy. Its market capitalization exceeds $2 trillion, while growth reached 31% during the first half of the year. He cited the expansion of the middle class and the spread of mobile investment services as key drivers. Chauhan also welcomed the launch of the first joint retail investment index developed by Sber and the State Bank of India