Indian pharmaceutical companies are increasingly turning their focus toward Russia’s growing healthcare market, exploring opportunities to set up localized production facilities across the country. The development was highlighted by Sergey Cheremin, Moscow Government Minister and Head of the Department for External Economic and International Relations, during the “TIME: Russia-India. Mutual Efficiency” forum.
Cheremin revealed that productive negotiations are already underway with a Russian pharmaceutical company to establish joint manufacturing operations in India. At the same time, several Indian pharma firms are evaluating options to localize production in various Russian regions.
“We hope that in the near future, Indian engineering enterprises and industrial groups will also turn their attention to the Russian market,” Cheremin said in an exclusive interview with TV BRICS.
Expanding Cooperation Beyond Pharmaceuticals
Cheremin also referred to a major industrial agreement, under which Russia’s largest engineering holding will produce 120 new-generation railway trains in India. This initiative, he noted, underscores Russia’s engineering competitiveness and its growing capacity to succeed in Asian markets.
Similarly, Taliya Minullina, Head of the Tatarstan Investment Development Agency, emphasized the importance of engaging industry stakeholders and sectoral bodies in the execution of bilateral agreements. She noted that such an approach strengthens the foundation for successful joint production ventures.
Harnessing Complementary Strengths
Adding to the discussion, Sammy Kotwani, President of the Indian Business Alliance, highlighted the synergistic potential between the two countries. “Russia has abundant natural and technological resources, while India offers a skilled workforce and deep expertise in key industries,” Kotwani said. He added that this complementarity could boost cooperation not only in pharmaceuticals but also in agriculture, textiles, renewable energy, and creative industries—sectors where both nations are seeking greater self-reliance and innovation-driven growth.
Building Russia’s Largest API Production Hub
Kotwani also revealed a strategic plan aimed at strengthening Russia’s pharmaceutical ecosystem. “India supplies a significant share of generics and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) to Russia, and we plan to establish the largest API production center in Russia to ensure pharmaceutical self-sufficiency,” he stated. This initiative reflects India’s intent to deepen its footprint in Russia’s pharmaceutical sector through technology transfer, local value addition, and sustainable partnerships.
A New Chapter in Indo-Russian Industrial Collaboration
As reported by msn.com, the ongoing discussions mark a new chapter in Indo-Russian cooperation, one that goes beyond trade to emphasize joint innovation and shared production. By combining India’s pharmaceutical expertise with Russia’s industrial infrastructure, both countries aim to build resilient supply chains and mutually beneficial growth models for the future.