Improved connectivity, including more direct flights, could act as a catalyst for stronger bilateral trade between India and Russia, Manish Synghal, board member of the East-West Group of companies and chairman and managing director of Dimaz Group, has told RT India in an exclusive interview.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Russia-India TIME Business Forum in Kazan, central Russia, Synghal said, “Easier travel procedures, subject to the respective governments’ policies, and more direct air links can stimulate tourism, business travel, investment and people-to-people exchanges.”

Officials in Tatarstan, of which Kazan is the capital, told the media they are in talks with the East-West Group and the Russian authorities about launching direct flights to India, including to its financial hub, Mumbai.

“A Kazan-Mumbai connection is worth exploring, provided a detailed assessment confirms sustainable passenger demand, commercial viability and the necessary regulatory clearances. With the right cooperation between governments, airlines and the tourism industry, such initiatives could create meaningful benefits for both sides,” Synghal said.

Asked about India’s efforts to diversify trade in response to tariff pressure from key trading partners, Synghal said diversification was “a strategic necessity for India,” adding that “our objective should not be to replace one market with another, but to build a broader, more balanced and sustainable network of international trade partnerships.” He said he sees potential in tourism, civil aviation, pharmaceuticals, agriculture and food processing, information technology, engineering, and transport and logistics.

Synghal emphasized that Russia’s regions offer major opportunities beyond the country’s main commercial centers. “For Indian businesses, the priority is to develop a deeper understanding of regional demand and local regulations, identify reliable partners, and establish commercially viable, long-term projects,” he said.

Trade between India and Russia reached $38 billion in the first half of this year and remains on course toward the annual target of $100 billion by 2030 set by the leaders of the two countries, Indian Ambassador to Russia Vinay Kumar told the media on the sidelines of the forum. “We think we are on the right path to achieve the target,” Kumar said, explaining that further focus areas would include boosting Indian pharmaceutical exports to Russia and expanding opportunities for India’s skilled workers, who are increasingly being hired by Russian companies.