The India-Russia $100 billion trade target by 2030 is in focus after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin instructed government agencies to expand economic cooperation, Indian Ambassador to Russia Vinay Kumar said on October 24.
Modi and Putin Review Ties at BRICS Summit
Speaking to Russia’s TASS news agency, Kumar said the leaders reviewed the wider India-Russia relationship during the BRICS summit in New Delhi on September 12–13, 2026. They asked ministries and other agencies to pursue closer cooperation, particularly in trade and commerce.
Kumar pointed to their participation in the BRICS business summit and visit to INNOPROM-India, the first Russian industrial exhibition held in New Delhi, as signs of growing engagement between the two countries.
India-Russia Trade and Investment Targets for 2030
India and Russia are working to raise two-way trade to $100 billion and bilateral investment to $50 billion by 2030, the ambassador said. These figures are goals, not amounts already achieved or new investment deals announced at the summit.
The direction from Modi and Putin places responsibility on officials to develop business opportunities and make the partnership more substantial. Industrial collaboration and commercial exchanges are expected to be important parts of that effort.
India Offers Skilled Workers for Russian Industry
Kumar also highlighted workforce cooperation, saying India intends to provide skilled personnel in line with Russia’s requirements. Indian nationals account for roughly 25–30% of Russia’s quota for foreign workers, he said. The envoy described India's relatively young population as an advantage,
citing an average workforce age of 29 and a working-age share of about 69%. With its population approaching 1.5 billion, India seeks to expand its role as a source of qualified professionals for international employers.
Training Partnerships Proposed to Meet Demand
To support that goal, New Delhi has proposed that Russia establish educational institutions in India or partner with existing ones to train workers for Russian industries. Such partnerships could better align technical education with employers’ needs, while giving Indian candidates preparation for roles abroad.
Kumar noted that India already trains specialists for both domestic and overseas employment. Whether these proposals develop into formal programmes will depend on the next steps taken by the two governments.
