In June 2025, the Global Trade & Technology Council (India) (GTTCI), under the able leadership of Chairperson Dr. Rashmi Saluja, embarked on a significant diplomatic and economic mission to the Russian Federation. Accompanied by Founder President Dr. Gaurav Gupta and Chief Advisor Mr. Rakesh Asthana, the delegation first travelled to Moscow from 16th to 18th June, followed by active participation in the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) from 18th to 21st June. The dual-purpose visit was aimed at strengthening bilateral trade and investment ties between India and Russia, while also contributing meaningfully to regional dialogues around digital transformation, innovation, and inclusive economic development across Eurasia. Through high-level institutional meetings, strategic financial dialogues, and panel discussions with global leaders, GTTCI reaffirmed its mission to serve as a bridge between India and the global economic community.
Engagement with the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RSPP) – Institutional Partnership Dialogue
On 16th June in Moscow, GTTCI initiated a productive and forward-looking discussion with the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RSPP), one of Russia’s most influential and respected business associations. The meeting was hosted by Mr. Sergey Krasilnikov, Vice President of RSPP, and led by Dr. Rashmi Saluja. At the heart of the dialogue was a mutual aspiration to establish a more structured, permanent, and responsive platform for India–Russia business cooperation. Among the key proposals discussed was the creation of a Russia Trade Desk in India under GTTCI’s framework to facilitate active and timely engagement between Russian corporations and Indian enterprises. In parallel, the delegation proposed the opening of a GTTCI Representative Office in Moscow to act as a local hub for Indian exporters, investors, and innovators seeking Russian collaboration. Dr. Saluja articulated the long-term value of such institutional linkages in creating resilient supply chains, investment corridors, and joint innovation networks. The parties also explored the possibility of co-developing platforms for B2B matchmaking and facilitating cross-border technology transfers. The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to build on this momentum and take forward the proposals through a phased and mutually agreed-upon implementation plan.
Strategic Dialogue with Gazprombank (GPB) – Cooperation via the Electronic Trading Platform (ETP)
On 17th June, the delegation held a comprehensive and highly strategic meeting with Gazprombank (GPB), a major financial institution known for its innovation-driven approach and robust procurement infrastructure. The meeting, facilitated by Ms. Angelina Morgun and Ms. Polina Bykova from the bank’s International Department, focused on several cooperation tracks centered around GPB’s Electronic Trading Platform (ETP). GPB proposed that GTTCI assume the role of an official aggregator of Indian suppliers, enabling Indian businesses to access Russian procurement opportunities directly through the ETP interface. GTTCI responded enthusiastically, pledging to identify reliable Indian suppliers from various sectors and coordinate their participation in upcoming tenders and projects.
Further discussions explored the potential for bilateral trade in key raw materials such as urea and essential industrial inputs. GPB expressed its willingness to facilitate supply, contingent on the submission of product specifications and import requirements from India. An interesting component of the dialogue was GPB’s introduction of detonation diamond grit—a precision-grade material used in aerospace and high-tech industries—and their interest in launching it in the Indian market through GTTCI’s trade facilitation network. The meeting also included a detailed discussion on the concept of developing a bonded logistics zone in Russia for Indian exporters, which would allow warehousing and customs facilitation under preferential arrangements. Both parties agreed to collaborate in showcasing the progress of these initiatives at the BRICS International Forum during SPIEF 2025, beginning with pilot-level engagement and a digital demonstration of the ETP to GTTCI’s Indian supplier base.
Dialogue with VTB Bank – Structuring the India–Russia Investment Fund and Ruble–Rupee Mechanisms
On 18th June, GTTCI engaged in a crucial dialogue with VTB Bank in Moscow, where Ms. Olga Basha, Member of the Board, welcomed the delegation for a forward-looking conversation on financial cooperation and investment architecture. The session focused on the conceptualization of an India–Russia Investment Fund, envisioned to disburse ruble-denominated capital in India to support startups, MSMEs, and technology-driven ventures. Dr. Saluja and Dr. Gupta presented a compelling case for the fund, emphasizing how such a financial instrument could empower grassroots enterprises, foster innovation, and reduce India’s dependency on global capital markets.
Another key agenda of the discussion was the facilitation of ruble–rupee bilateral trade arrangements. Both sides acknowledged the need for mechanisms that could enhance currency parity and reduce trade frictions caused by dollar volatility. VTB expressed keen interest in further developing these ideas and agreed to explore structured proposals to be announced at SPIEF. This engagement underscored GTTCI’s commitment to reimagining the financial backbone of India–Russia trade relations with a focus on local currencies and shared investment frameworks.
GTTCI at SPIEF 2025 – Amplifying India’s Role in Eurasian Growth
The second leg of GTTCI’s visit began on 18th June with the delegation’s participation in the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), widely recognized as one of the world’s leading platforms for global economic dialogue. GTTCI’s leadership featured prominently across key sessions focused on technology, women’s empowerment, investment, digital platforms, and South–South cooperation. The delegation’s presence was marked by substance, strategy, and an unwavering focus on inclusive growth.
Dr. Rashmi Saluja’s Address on Digital Platforms and Global South Integration – Session: “Develop or Absorb? Global Digital Platforms and Their Impact on the Economies of Eurasia and the Global South”
On 19th June 2025, Dr. Rashmi Saluja, Chairperson of the Global Trade & Technology Council of India (GTTCI), addressed the high-level session titled “Develop or Absorb? Global Digital Platforms and Their Impact on the Economies of Eurasia and the Global South” at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF). The panel brought together an esteemed line-up of global thinkers and policymakers from the Russian Federation, China, the Kyrgyz Republic, Uzbekistan, and India. Dr. Saluja shared the stage with senior officials and business leaders representing ministries of economic development, digital innovation bodies, and regional trade organisations from these nations, collectively contributing to a rich and diverse exchange of perspectives. In her speech, Dr. Saluja emphasized the role of digital platforms in empowering small and women-led enterprises across the Global South, citing examples from GTTCI’s on-ground initiatives in India and its ongoing collaborations with Uzbek institutions. She underscored how digital commerce removes traditional entry barriers, offering entrepreneurial pathways to those in rural and underserved regions, especially women. Her remarks highlighted the urgency of building harmonised regulatory mechanisms and digital infrastructure to bridge the growing divide in global digital access. Her inclusive and pragmatic approach to digital diplomacy was widely appreciated by fellow speakers and delegates present at the forum.
Dr. Gaurav Gupta’s Call for Stronger SCO Business Synergies – Session: “SCO Business Agenda 2025”
ater the same day, Dr. Gaurav Gupta, Founder President of GTTCI, delivered a compelling address during the session titled “The New SCO Business Agenda in Today’s World,” which was convened to explore future-ready economic partnerships within the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) framework. The session featured a distinguished panel including Mr. Nurlan Ermekbaev, Secretary General of the SCO; Mr. Sergey Katyrin, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation; and Mr. Ren Hongbin, Chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT). Also present were senior delegates from Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and India, all of whom reinforced the importance of strengthening multilateral cooperation within the region. Representing India’s private sector, Dr. Gupta articulated a forward-looking vision for SCO-centric economic collaboration and proposed concrete ideas such as the creation of a SCO Digital Cooperation Hub, a joint investment and trade promotion fund, a regional business visa regime, and the harmonisation of customs and logistics frameworks. He also cited recent MoUs signed by GTTCI with prominent chambers of commerce in Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan, and stressed the need to translate these into tangible outcomes through trade exhibitions, technology partnerships, and coordinated policy actions. His contribution was noted for balancing regional sensitivity with practical ambition, and was strongly endorsed by the panel for its strategic foresight and commitment to multilateralism.
Dr. Saluja at the Women and Innovation for Healthy Society Forum – Session: “Women’s Contribution to Technological Development and Innovation for a Healthy Society”
In another influential engagement on 19th June 2025, Dr. Rashmi Saluja participated in the thematic session titled “Women’s Contribution to Technological Development and Innovation for a Healthy Society.” The panel featured several prominent voices in the field of gender equity and innovation, including Dr. Elena Ivanova, Director of the Russian Women in Technology Association; Ms. Salima Begum from the Pakistan Digital Health Alliance; and Dr. Olga Kornienko, Director of the Belarusian Center for Gender Innovation. Dr. Saluja’s remarks explored the deep-rooted socio-economic parallels between India and Russia, where women continue to serve as the silent backbone of domestic economies. She spoke powerfully on how household resilience, driven by women’s resourcefulness, has historically helped nations like India withstand global financial disruptions. Drawing from GTTCI’s initiatives in healthcare innovation, she described how Indian women are now leading AI-based diagnostics, digital maternal health platforms, and community health entrepreneurship, particularly in underserved areas. She called for global cooperation to build a sisterhood of innovators across emerging economies and urged for greater investment in women—not only as contributors to societal wellness, but as architects of technology, policy, and enterprise. Her insights were received with admiration by co-panelists and delegates, and reaffirmed her position as a thought leader in inclusive development.
Ambassadorial Recognition under “Women for a Healthy Society” Initiative
On 20th June, Dr. Saluja was formally invited to serve as an Ambassador under the “Women for a Healthy Society” initiative, a distinguished honour conferred by the Roscongress Foundation and the Eurasian Women’s Forum. This special nomination recognized her sustained leadership in connecting health, technology, and gender equity through GTTCI’s ongoing programmes and international engagements. It marked yet another milestone in her journey as a thought leader and global representative of inclusive growth.
Participation in the Official Plenary Session
On 20th June 2025, the GTTCI delegation, led by Dr. Rashmi Saluja and accompanied by Dr. Gaurav Gupta, was invited as a Special Guest to attend the Official Plenary Session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) 2025. This high-profile session, regarded as the most significant moment of the forum, was addressed by global leaders and heads of state, reflecting the forum’s stature as a vital platform for international economic diplomacy. Among the keynote speakers were H.E. Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation; H.E. Prabowo Subianto, President of Indonesia; H.H. Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa of Bahrain; H.E. Ding Xuexiang, Vice Premier of China; and H.E. Paul Mashatile, Deputy President of South Africa.
The presence of GTTCI leadership at this global gathering signified India’s growing engagement with the Eurasian economic corridor and GTTCI’s rising recognition as a credible institution driving international collaboration. The session emphasized themes such as global economic stability, regional integration, sustainable growth, and the evolution of new trade mechanisms in a multipolar world. For GTTCI, this plenary session offered an unparalleled opportunity to engage with senior dignitaries, observe the emerging priorities of world leaders, and align its initiatives with the broader vision for global partnership.
During the proceedings, Dr. Saluja also held a cordial and constructive interaction with Mr. Alexander Shokhin, Chairman of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RSPP), reaffirming mutual interest in implementing the collaborative framework discussed earlier in Moscow. This dialogue, held in the backdrop of the Plenary Session, underscored GTTCI’s focus on continuity and follow-through in building institutional bridges.
GTTCI’s diplomatic mission to Moscow and St. Petersburg in June 2025 was not merely a sequence of engagements, but a strategically choreographed initiative to strengthen India–Russia economic relations and broaden India’s presence in the Eurasian region. Through robust institutional partnerships, innovative financial proposals, and bold narratives on digital and gender inclusion, GTTCI brought to the fore India’s capacity to lead from the front in shaping a more connected and equitable world. The visit exemplified GTTCI’s mission to translate dialogue into development, policy into partnership, and vision into global impact.
