To the organisers, participants, and guests of the Russian-Indian Business Forum “TIME”

I extend a warm welcome to the organisers, participants, and guests of the Russian-Indian Business Forum “TIME”, which is being held in hospitable Kazan for the second time.

The multifaceted dialogue between Moscow and New Delhi, grounded in the principles of sovereign equality, mutual respect, and trust, is rightly characterised as a special and privileged strategic partnership. Cooperation in trade, economy, and technology, including the energy and space sectors, is developing fruitfully. Exchanges in science, education, culture, and the humanitarian sphere are advancing. We closely coordinate our actions on the international stage, including within the UN, BRICS, and the SCO. Next year will mark a significant shared milestone – the 80^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

The Forum is also called upon to make its contribution to strengthening Russian-Indian practical cooperation and time-tested friendship between our peoples. You will have to discuss a wide range of urgent issues – from medicine to investment relations.

I am convinced that the event will bear a constructive spirit, help build bridges between the business communities of the two countries, and pave the way for concluding mutually beneficial agreements.

I wish you success in your work and all the very best.

The year 2025 marked a milestone in India-Tatarstan relations with the inaugural edition of the Indian-Russian Business Forum “Tatarstan Initiative Mutual Efficiency” (TIME). The Forum drew over 3,000 participants from 22 Indian states and 35 regions of Russia, who explored opportunities for collaboration across 15 business sessions. It saw participation of high-level delegations from the Indian states of Telangana and Uttar Pradesh, officials from the Ministry of Ayush, and Indian businessmen, spiritual figures, and film personalities. 19 agreements were signed, including agreements between business chambers and twin-city arrangements. During the Forum, a Centre for Indian Studies was inaugurated at Kazan Federal University with the support of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) — a testament to the growing academic and people-to-people relations between our regions.

While dealing in trade, business, investment and academic collaborations, TIME also provided space for cultural cooperation. We organized an Indian Film Festival in Kazan. The event celebrated India's cinematic heritage and was attended by senior officials, filmmakers, and film enthusiasts. With the Day of Indian Culture, digital art workshop, friendly cricket match, and youth round table, the Forum covered the broad gamut of our bilateral relations — from economy and technology to culture and people-to-people ties.

Following the visit of the Prime Minister of India, H.E. Shri Narendra Modi, for the 16th BRICS Summit in 2024, and the first edition of the TIME Forum in 2025, the opening of the Consulate General of India in Kazan stands as a testament to the growing importance of the region and extensive potential for our cooperation. The first Consul General assumed office in January 2026, and we remain fully committed to realizing the full potential of our partnership with the Republic of Tatarstan.

Tatarstan is an economically developed, culturally vibrant, and strategically located region of the Russian Federation, consistently ranked among the regions with the best investment climate in the country. Its manufacturing, chemicals, energy, logistics, construction, and agriculture sectors are highly developed and offer immense scope for collaboration. Bilateral trade between India and Tatarstan grew from USD 360 million in 2024 to USD 400 million in 2025, contributing to the broader India-Russia bilateral trade target of USD 100 billion.

Over the years, the India-Russia bilateral relationship has grown steadily to cover a broad spectrum of engagement. With bilateral trade having reached USD 60 billion, we are now pursuing joint development, co-production, joint research, technology cooperation, joint film production, and skill mobility, alongside traditional cooperation in defence, energy, space, and nuclear energy. As we prepare for the second edition of the TIME Forum, I invite participants to explore these emerging areas of cooperation as well.

This year's Forum will feature industry site visits covering the petrochemical, IT, education, chemical, and medicine sectors, along with other valuable excursions. Experts from various domains will gather to discuss themes of industry, social environment, IT, culture, agriculture, medicine, logistics, investment, innovation, and media. Exhibitions will showcase a range of products and services, including tourism, Indian tea, handicrafts, healthcare, and Ayurveda. The Indian Film Festival will further build upon last year's success, continuing to strengthen people-to-people relations. Book exhibitions and sports activities will offer further opportunities for exchange of ideas and youth engagement. I invite all participants to engage actively and contribute to productive outcomes. The Embassy of India and the Consulate General of India in Kazan are working closely towards meaningful engagement and results.

I thank the Government of the Republic of Tatarstan, our Russian partners, and everyone who is working to make this forum a success. To all delegates, Indian and Russian alike, I extend a warm welcome to Kazan, a city that has become a true symbol of friendship between our nations. I wish the Forum every success and look forward to fruitful discussions and enduring partnerships.

To the organisers, participants and guests of the session “Developing Logistics Corridors for Bilateral Trade between Russia and India”

Dear colleagues,
It is my pleasure to welcome the participants of the session “Effective Logistics Solutions for Exporting Russian Goods to India”, held as part of the TIME Russian–Indian Business Forum.
Russia and India have established relations of comprehensive strategic partnership, underpinned by reliable and resilient transport links. Behind the dynamic growth in bilateral trade lies the day-to-day coordinated work of the transport and logistics sector, while the further expansion of trade and economic cooperation depends directly on the reliability of supply chains.
Today, we are witnessing the emergence of a new framework for cooperation, founded on economic integration, business partnerships and stronger people-to-people ties between our two countries.
The Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation is pursuing a systematic effort to increase freight volumes across all modes of transport. Direct container shipping services between Russian and Indian ports are operating successfully. The capacity of ports in the Far Eastern Basin is also expected to be utilised for the transport of cargo along the Northern Sea Route.
Air passenger traffic is growing steadily, while technological cooperation continues to deepen. We see considerable potential in integrating Russia’s National Digital Transport and Logistics Platform with India’s Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP), as well as in expanding cooperation on the adoption of artificial intelligence in the transport sector.
The development of transport and logistics links is one of the key factors in strengthening the bilateral partnership between Russia and India. Our shared objective is to establish reliable, fast and cost-effective routes that will enable businesses in both countries to realise their full export potential.

I wish all participants a productive session, constructive dialogue and every success in implementing new joint projects.

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Welcome address by Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation Maxim Reshetnikov to the participants in TIME: Russia – India. Mutual Efficiency business forum

 

Dear participants and guests of TIME: Russia – India. Mutual Efficiency business forum,
The TIME forum held for the first time in Kazan is becoming an important platform for discussing prospects and elaborating solutions aimed at deepening cooperation between the Russian Federation and the Republic of India.
Today, the resilience and flexibility of economic ties are acquiring particular significance. Our countries are demonstrating confident dynamics of interaction, trade turnover is expanding, and new formats of business contacts are developing. Regions, small and medium-sized businesses and high-tech companies are increasingly involved in this process.
The Government of the Russian Federation prioritises the development of Russian-Indian relations in trade and economy. Together with our colleagues from other departments, we are working to create reliable logistic routes, stimulate mutual investments, develop digital solutions for businesses and launch joint research and production projects.
The Republic of Tatarstan, which is the organiser of the forum, is one of the notable industrial and innovative regions of Russia. Tatarstan’s experience in developing high-tech sectors of the economy opens up broad opportunities for cooperation with Indian companies in such areas as petrochemistry, engineering, IT, biotechnology, education and tourism.
I am convinced that the first TIME forum will mark the beginning of a good tradition and provide new impetus for strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation and good neighbourly ties between our countries.
I wish the forum participants productive work, fruitful meetings and new ideas for joint projects!
 
Maxim Reshetnikov,
Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation

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Welcome address

by Head (Rais) of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov

to the participants of TIME: Russia – India. Mutual Efficiency business forum

 

         Dear friends,
I am delighted to welcome you in the city of Kazan at the first TIME: Russia – India. Mutual Efficiency business forum.
This forum is opening a new chapter in the history of cooperation between our republic and India. It is designed as a platform for open dialogue, sharing experiences and establishing and strengthening partnerships in economy, education, culture and science. I am convinced that such regional initiatives help bring practical substance to the relations between Russia and India and promote the development of joint projects.
Tatarstan and India are bound together by friendly contacts. The Consulate General of India is planned to open in Kazan, our universities actively collaborate, the interest in joint educational and scientific programmes is growing, and cultural exchanges are expanding. India has established itself as a country with a constructive economic agenda. All this creates a foundation for broadening cooperation in manufacturing, high-tech sectors, innovation, tourism and humanitarian initiatives.
Hosting the forum offline in Kazan—a city with a rich history, a dynamic economy and a unique cultural heritage—is of particular significance. The 16^th BRICS+ Summit was held and attended by an Indian delegation led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi here in October 2024. The high praise for the level of infrastructure, hospitality and Tatarstan’s commitment to developing Russian-Indian ties from the head of the Indian government served as important confirmation of our region’s significance in international dialogue.
I am confident that this forum will provide additional impetus for expanding mutually beneficial cooperation and strengthening the friendship between Russia and India.
I wish the forum participants productive work and vivid impressions of their stay in Tatarstan!
Welcome to Kazan!
 
Sincerely,
Rustam Minnikhanov
Head (Rais) of the Republic of Tatarstan