Russia-India Business Forum

The forum, co-organised by the Roscongress Foundation and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), took place in New Delhi on December 4-5.

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President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr Prime Minister, friends,

I am delighted to welcome the participants of the Russia-India Business Forum plenary session.

These days, New Delhi is hosting representatives from our economic ministries and departments, the heads of our largest companies, banks and regions, as well as members of parliament - that is, all those who are engaged in practical efforts to promote multifaceted Russian-Indian cooperation in imports and exports, finance and investments.

As I understand it, you have discussed a broad range of specific issues related to economic interaction between Russia and India during your numerous panel sessions and expert discussions. But the main achievement is that new business contacts have been established at the forum, talks have begun on future commercial deals, and forward-looking mutually beneficial projects have been launched.

I would like to draw your attention to what I consider to be of utmost importance. This forum was proposed and organised primarily to demonstrate the multifaceted possibilities of our cooperation.

I would like you to know that the Russian delegation has not come here to discuss only energy, place orders or sign oil and gas contracts. We want to develop our multifaceted relations with India in many spheres.

Mr Prime Minister has pointed out many times during our private conversations that India has vast and growing opportunities in many spheres, but they are not being used as both sides would like them to be used. In fact, this is what this forum is about.

To tell the truth, this forum is devoted to the possibilities of the Indian economy and aims to inform our economic operators about these opportunities, so that we can open up our markets to mutual satisfaction and mutual development. All this has fundamental significance because strong and diversified ties between Russian and Indian businesses are among the most powerful pillars of the privileged strategic partnership between our countries.

To be continued.