In December 2025, the health ministries of Russia and India signed a strategic cooperation agreement that includes the creation of working groups on pharmaceuticals.
Russia and India have been friends for more than eight decades — almost 78 years. For example, during the third Indo-Pakistani war in 1971, Russia helped India. Today, India is helping Russia with medicines, just as it helps the rest of the world. India is the pharmacy of the world. More than half — 60% — of all vaccines distributed across various countries are manufactured in India. For instance, Indian companies have contract manufacturing arrangements with all major Western (American and European) firms. Moreover, 20% of all generic drugs worldwide and 40–60% of generics in the United States are produced in India.
After COVID-19, many countries began showing interest in localizing the production of Indian drugs on their territory, and Russia is no exception. Indian companies are being offered numerous preferences here. It is worth noting that Indian pharmaceutical companies were present in Russia even before the memorandum was signed between the two countries, and their numbers will grow as bilateral relations strengthen.
Current bilateral trade turnover stands at around $69 billion, with plans to increase it to $100 billion. To optimise drug supply, discussions are underway to produce medicines in India and package them in Russia.
Indian manufacturers still face certain difficulties in Russia. The regulatory environment does not allow them to quickly obtain permits for importing goods or registering them; inspections of manufacturing facilities are time-consuming and require significant costs. Furthermore, if specialists are brought from India to Russia, they may face visa problems due to quotas, as well as a language barrier. It would be useful to create a department within the Industry and Trade Ministry or the Health Ministry that deals with foreign companies and communicates with them in English.
India is interested in establishing production in Russia not only of generics but also of sought-after innovative drugs. For example, one of India’s leading pharmaceutical companies, Safpharm, together with the Russian Industrial and Investment Fund and Khimrar, plans to build a plant to produce hormonal drugs, medicines for various types of cancer and other diseases. The project is being implemented under the Pharma-2030 programme. In addition, Indian companies have received a list from Russia’s Industry and Trade Ministry of drugs that need to be import-substituted, so work in this direction will continue.
In the current geopolitical situation, the two countries will grow even closer and implement many joint projects. Indian pharmaceuticals represent quality, reliability and affordability. Moreover, India has the world’s largest talent pool, which can strengthen the Russian labour market, he writes. Technology transfers and joint ventures will be established. The future lies in full-cycle manufacturing, so new projects can be expected in the coming years.
Currently, Indian companies are exploring the Russian market for finished dosage forms, medical and surgical equipment, dietary supplements, nutraceuticals, cosmetics and veterinary drugs. At present, there are few companies in Russia producing medical equipment. Indian companies are still only importing medical devices, but in the future they will likely localise production in Russia. The environment for localisation there is now very positive.
