India and the CIS region, two of the fastest growing economies of the world offer tremendous opportunities across various sectors to each other. Indian and countries of CIS have complementary resources and skills and can through joint collaboration be more effective in creating favourable conditions for sustainable development. CIS economies centred in a region with avenues of unexplored natural wealth and drivers of economic progress has been of growing interest for various businesses and countries across the world.

From its rich natural reserves and untapped resources to its economic advancements - CIS economies remain a one stop destination with varied opportunities. Strategically located at the convergence of Asia and Europe, CIS economies can play an important role to enhance trade facilitation and investment linkages across different countries of Asia and Europe. Reigniting our ancient trade links dating back to the silk route era to weaving new threads of economic complementarities is the future for development.

India has been investing heavily in the CIS region, from economies in Central Asia to the Russian Far East region. India’s total Export with the various countries of CIS region stood at US$ 3 billion whereas total Import from the region stood at US$ 32 billion during the Year 2024-2025 (Apr-Sep).

Objective

The session aims to strengthen and invigorate India-CIS connections through sessions designed to unlock the full potential of trade and investment opportunities between the regions.

Energy, trade and ensuring the security of Indian expatriates have traditionally been the key components of the India–Gulf relationship. India has a large stake in Gulf stability given that approximately 8.8 million Indian nationals reside in the region. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is India’s largest regional-bloc trading partner.

Trade with the GCC comprised 15.8% of India’s total trade in FY2022–23, compared to 11.6% of total trade with the European Union. The UAE has consistently been India’s principal trading partner within the Gulf and is India’s third-largest trading partner overall, with Saudi Arabia in fourth place. However, despite India and the GCC announcing their intent to resume negotiations for a free-trade agreement (FTA) in November 2022, a deal has not yet materialised. The Conference will seek to promote and galvanize India-GULF linkages to leverage the potential of trade and investment to their true and immense potential.

Energy cooperation remains a cornerstone of India’s engagement with CIS nations. India’s investments in energy projects across the region have surpassed $6 billion in 2024. Notably, Indian companies such as ONGC Videsh and GAIL are involved in major oil and gas exploration projects in Kazakhstan’s Tengiz and Uzbekistan’s Surkhandarya fields. India and Russia continue their partnership in energy security, with the two nations agreeing to a long-term deal worth $4 billion for LNG imports from Russia’s Yamal LNG project. Additionally, India is exploring opportunities in green hydrogen projects with Kazakhstan, with investments totaling $1.2 billion in renewable energy infrastructure.

In defense cooperation, India’s longstanding strategic partnership with Russia continues to be central. Defense trade between India and CIS countries crossed $15 billion in 2024, with Russia accounting for the bulk of transactions. Joint ventures for the production of BrahMos missiles and Su-30 MKI aircraft in India have strengthened defense ties under the "Make in India" initiative. India and Kyrgyzstan have expanded their defense cooperation with joint training exercises such as Khanjar 2024, aimed at enhancing counter-terrorism capabilities. Furthermore, India and Armenia signed a $600 million defense agreement for the export of radar systems and weaponry, solidifying India’s role as a defense exporter in the region.

Infrastructure development and connectivity have been prioritized to boost trade and economic ties. The International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), a strategic initiative linking India with CIS nations through Iran, continues to gain momentum, reducing transportation costs and delivery times for goods. Trade along the INSTC grew by 60% in 2024, facilitating increased exports of Indian pharmaceuticals, machinery, and food products. Indian companies are also investing in regional infrastructure, with $2 billion earmarked for port modernization and logistics projects in Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

India’s healthcare cooperation with CIS nations has seen remarkable growth, with pharmaceutical exports to the region valued at $3.5 billion in 2024. Indian vaccines and generic medicines remain vital for healthcare access in these countries, particularly in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Belarus. Initiatives like the India-CIS Healthcare Summit have fostered collaboration in telemedicine, medical tourism, and joint research on infectious diseases. India’s Apollo Hospitals and Fortis Healthcare have partnered with healthcare institutions in CIS countries to develop state-of-the-art hospitals and telehealth networks.

In agriculture, India’s food exports to CIS nations, including rice, tea, spices, and processed foods, reached $2.8 billion in FY2023-24. Under the India-Uzbekistan Agri-Tech Partnership, Indian firms have invested $500 million in modernizing Uzbekistan’s food processing and irrigation systems. Similarly, Kazakhstan has emerged as a key supplier of wheat to India, with bilateral agricultural trade growing to $1 billion in 2024. India is also collaborating with CIS nations to promote agri-tech solutions like precision farming and water-efficient irrigation, enhancing food security across the region.

India’s digital cooperation with CIS countries has expanded significantly, driven by the export of IT services, valued at $2.5 billion in 2024. Indian IT firms such as TCS and Infosys are actively working on e-governance projects, digital payment systems, and cybersecurity solutions in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The India-CIS Digital Partnership Initiative aims to bridge the digital divide, with joint investments in AI, fintech, and technology-enabled education programs.

India’s multifaceted engagement with the CIS nations highlights the growing strategic and economic ties between the regions. Through energy security, defense collaborations, infrastructure investments, and healthcare partnerships, India is positioning itself as a trusted and reliable partner for CIS countries. The continued emphasis on connectivity projects like the INSTC, renewable energy cooperation, and the export of Indian expertise in IT and agriculture ensures a strong foundation for mutual growth. India’s robust engagement with CIS nations in 2024 not only strengthens bilateral relations but also enhances regional stability and economic integration, driving prosperity across Eurasia.