June 3, 2026
New Delhi, India | 29 May 2026: The II Indo-Russian Education Summit 2026 (IRES 2026) concluded successfully after two days of academic dialogue, institutional collaboration, and student engagement. Organized by Rus Education in collaboration with Rossotrudnichestvo, the Embassy of the Russian Federation in India, and Russian House, New Delhi, the summit brought together more than 100 Russian universities, over 200 delegates, and 1,500+ students and parents at Le Méridien, New Delhi.
Serving as one of the largest Indo-Russian educational platforms, the summit facilitated meaningful interactions between policymakers, university leaders, education experts, and aspiring students. Through panel discussions, university exhibitions, institutional meetings, counselling sessions, and academic exchanges, IRES 2026 strengthened educational cooperation between India and Russia while creating new opportunities for academic exchange, research collaboration, and international learning.
Distinguished Delegates Lead Educational Dialogue
The summit commenced with a prestigious inaugural session graced by distinguished dignitaries from the Russian Federation, including H.E. Denis Alipov, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Republic of India; Dr. Tatyana Semyonova, Deputy Minister of Health of the Russian Federation; Dr. Pavel Shevtsov, Deputy Head of Rossotrudnichestvo; Dr. Elena Remizova, Head of the Representative Office of Rossotrudnichestvo in India; and Ms. Yulia Kondykova, Director, Department of Education, Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation.
The event also witnessed the participation of leading Indian education and healthcare leaders, including Air Marshal (Dr.) Pawan Kapoor (Retd.), Technical Advisor, Rus Education; Dr. Abhijat Chandrakant Sheth, Chairman, National Medical Commission; Prof. Vinay Kumar Pathak, President, Association of Indian Universities; Dr. Pankaj Mittal, Secretary, Association of Indian Universities; Prof. K.C. Sharma, Chairman, Haryana State Higher Education Council; Prof. P.K. Gupta, Founder and Chairman, Sharda Group of Institutions; Prof. Gurinder Singh, Vice Chancellor, Amity Education Group; Prof. V.N. Mahalakshmi, Vice Chancellor, Santosh Deemed to be University; and Dr. Mahesh Verma, Vice Chancellor, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University.
University Exhibition Creates Direct Opportunities for Students
One of the major highlights of the summit was the Exhibition of Russian Universities, where students and parents interacted directly with university representatives to explore academic programs, scholarships, admissions, accommodation facilities, student life, and future career opportunities in Russia.
The exhibition witnessed enthusiastic participation throughout the two-day event, with many students receiving personalized guidance from university delegates. Several aspiring students also initiated their admission process and explored pathways to pursue higher education in the Russian Federation.
National Medical Commission Engagement Strengthens Medical Education Cooperation
The summit also witnessed active participation from the National Medical Commission (NMC), reflecting the growing importance of Indo-Russian cooperation in medical education. Russian delegates engaged with NMC representatives in discussions focused on medical education standards, academic quality, healthcare training, and opportunities for strengthening collaboration between the two countries.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Abhijat Chandrakant Sheth, Chairman, National Medical Commission, emphasized the importance of international academic cooperation in shaping future healthcare professionals. He highlighted that platforms such as the Indo-Russian Education Summit facilitate meaningful dialogue between institutions, encourage knowledge exchange, and create valuable opportunities for students pursuing medical education and healthcare careers.
Key Messages from Distinguished Delegates
Speaking during the summit, Air Marshal (Dr.) Pawan Kapoor (Retd.), Technical Advisor, Rus Education highlighted the enduring partnership between India and Russia, emphasizing that the relationship has flourished for more than seven decades across sectors such as defence, science, technology, healthcare, and education. He noted that educational cooperation remains one of the strongest pillars of bilateral relations and continues to create meaningful opportunities for students, researchers, and academic institutions in both countries.
Dr. Pavel Shevtsov, Deputy Head of Rossotrudnichestvo, appreciated the efforts of Rus Education in strengthening educational cooperation between India and Russia. He highlighted the organization’s contribution to connecting Indian students with leading Russian universities and emphasized the importance of initiatives such as IRES in promoting academic exchange, student mobility, and long-term educational partnerships.
Another notable announcement came from Prof. Mikhail N. Shvetsov, Rector, Mari State University, who shared that the university remains committed to supporting talented students beyond academics. He highlighted special scholarship opportunities available for students who demonstrate excellence in sports and extracurricular activities, encouraging young achievers to pursue both academic and athletic success.
Institutional Visits and Academic Partnerships
Beyond the summit venue, Russian delegates visited Sharda University, Santosh Deemed to be University, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, and the National Medical Commission, fostering meaningful institutional engagement and academic interaction.
The summit also witnessed the signing of several academic partnerships and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between Indian and Russian institutions, further strengthening cooperation in research, faculty exchange, student mobility, and international academic collaboration.
Strengthening the Future of Indo-Russian Education
From high-level policy discussions and institutional networking to student counselling and university engagement, IRES 2026 successfully reinforced the educational partnership between India and Russia. The summit created valuable opportunities for students, universities, and academic institutions while reaffirming a shared commitment to global learning, innovation, and academic excellence.
As the curtains came down on the second edition of the summit, IRES 2026 left behind a strong foundation for future collaboration and demonstrated the growing role of education in strengthening the strategic partnership between India and Russia.
