India-Russia steel talks: Coking coal, green tech, defence-grade steel on table
Synopsis
India and Russia have now held two steel-sector round tables in a single month — a pace that signals more than routine diplomacy. With coking coal supply, defence-grade speciality steels, and green steelmaking all on the table, New Delhi is quietly building a deep industrial partnership with Moscow even as geopolitical pressures mount.
Key Takeaways
India and Russia held their second steel sector round table in April 2025 on 30 April at the Ministry of Steel, New Delhi .
The session was co-chaired by the Secretary, Ministry of Steel and Pavel Sorokin , First Deputy Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation.
The first round table was held on 16 April 2025 , co-chaired by Mikhail Iurin , Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of Russia.
Key areas of discussion: coking coal sourcing , high-grade and speciality steels for automotive and defence, equipment manufacturing , and green steel technologies .
No formal agreements were announced; both sides expressed intent to continue structured engagement.
India and Russia on Thursday, 30 April 2025, held high-level talks at the Ministry of Steel in New Delhi to deepen bilateral cooperation in the steel sector, covering raw material sourcing, advanced steelmaking technologies, and sustainable production, according to an official statement. The round table was co-chaired by the Secretary of the Ministry of Steel and Pavel Sorokin, First Deputy Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation.
Key Developments
The meeting was attended by a high-level Russian delegation comprising industry representatives and key supply chain partners, alongside leading Indian steel companies. Notably, this is the second India-Russia steel round table held in April 2025, coming less than a fortnight after a similar session on 16 April, which was co-chaired by Mikhail Iurin, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation.
Both sides reviewed existing bilateral engagement and discussed a broad range of issues in the steel sector and related industries, with the stated aim of further strengthening cooperation.
What Was Discussed
Discussions spanned four broad areas: raw material sourcing, technological collaboration, equipment manufacturing, and research opportunities. A key focus was India's interest in securing a stable supply of coking coal from Russia — a critical input for blast furnace-based steelmaking — as India's domestic production capacity continues to expand.
Both nations are also exploring the sharing of advanced steelmaking technologies, specifically for high-grade and speciality steels used in the automotive and defence sectors. Joint research efforts are reportedly examining low-emission technologies and pathways toward green steel production — a growing priority for both governments under their respective decarbonisation commitments.
Context and Significance
The back-to-back round tables signal a structured and accelerating engagement between the two countries on steel, a sector that sits at the intersection of industrial policy, energy security, and defence readiness. India is among the world's top steel producers, while Russia is a major supplier of coking coal and possesses advanced metallurgical expertise, particularly in speciality steels.
This comes amid a broader recalibration of India's trade relationships, with New Delhi deepening ties with Moscow across energy, fertilisers, and now industrial materials — even as Western nations maintain sanctions on Russia following the Ukraine conflict. India has consistently maintained that its bilateral engagements are driven by national interest.
What Both Sides Said
Both delegations emphasised the importance of sustained dialogue and expressed intent to continue engagement. The meetings are described by both sides as a platform for constructive exchange on matters of mutual interest. No formal agreements or memoranda of understanding were announced following Thursday's session, according to the official statement.
What's Next
With two round tables completed within a single month, further structured engagements are expected. Industry bodies and supply chain partners from both sides are likely to follow up on specific collaboration proposals, particularly around coking coal supply agreements and joint research on green steelmaking technologies.
Point of View
Sanctions notwithstanding. The pivot toward speciality steels for defence is the more consequential thread: if joint R&D yields results, it could reduce India's reliance on Western and Japanese suppliers for high-grade metallurgical inputs. What mainstream coverage misses is the green steel angle — both countries face pressure to decarbonise heavy industry, and a joint low-emission technology programme could give both governments political cover domestically while advancing real industrial goals.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was discussed at the India-Russia steel round table on 30 April 2025?
The round table covered raw material sourcing — particularly coking coal supply from Russia — technological collaboration on high-grade and speciality steels for the automotive and defence sectors, equipment manufacturing, and joint research on low-emission and green steelmaking technologies.
Who co-chaired the 30 April India-Russia steel meeting?
The round table was co-chaired by the Secretary of the Ministry of Steel, Government of India, and Pavel Sorokin, First Deputy Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation. A high-level Russian delegation including industry and supply chain representatives also attended.
How many India-Russia steel round tables have been held in April 2025?
Two round tables were held in April 2025. The first was on 16 April, co-chaired by Mikhail Iurin, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of Russia, and the second on 30 April, co-chaired by Pavel Sorokin.
Why is India keen on coking coal from Russia?
Coking coal is a critical raw material for blast furnace-based steelmaking. India's steel production capacity is growing rapidly, and securing a stable, cost-effective supply of coking coal from Russia helps reduce dependence on other suppliers and supports energy security.
Were any agreements signed at the India-Russia steel talks?
No formal agreements or memoranda of understanding were announced following the 30 April session, according to the official statement. Both sides expressed intent to continue engagement and further strengthen cooperation in the steel sector.
