Delegates at Russia’s inaugural Global Digital Forum this week highlighted the deepening digital cooperation between Russia and countries from the Global South, driven in part by new opportunities emerging from Western sanctions. The two-day event in Nizhny Novgorod brought together government officials, business leaders, and experts from over 100 countries, including China, India, and several African nations, who shared optimistic views on expanding collaboration across trade, artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and technology transfer.
Zhou Liqun, chairman of the Chinese Entrepreneurs’ Union in Russia, described China and Russia as “strategic partners and good neighbors,” noting that bilateral trade hit $240 billion last year. China has remained Russia’s top partner in food products for 15 consecutive years. Despite sanctions, Zhou emphasized, “the number of Chinese companies in Russia is growing,” pointing to a “promising cooperation” trend.
Echoing this sentiment, Sun Tianshu, founder of the China-Russian Platform, said Western sanctions have “freed up many opportunities” in the Russian market, allowing Chinese firms to expand their presence. He affirmed a steady growth in trade between the two countries and expressed confidence that challenges like payment issues have been resolved and future obstacles will be overcome.
Indian cybersecurity expert Sunny Vaghela, CEO of Techdefence Labs, called for stronger partnerships in AI and cybersecurity. “Russia is technologically advanced, and India is a hub of tech talent. Why not join hands to make AI and cyber a boom for both countries?” he said, noting some Russian companies are eager to collaborate with Indian counterparts.
Representatives from Africa expressed similar enthusiasm for digital partnerships, particularly in agriculture, education, and information management. Tanzanian expert Henry Nkya explained, “We came to learn how to bring AI and robotics home to help our people. Russia is using AI to boost productivity – we want to do the same.” His colleague Mawazo Mataje underscored the importance of exchanging skills, experiences, and cultural understanding between Russia and the Global South.
Bangladeshi entrepreneur Mohammad Saber Shah called the forum “a truly encouraging experience,” appreciating the opportunity to connect with IT professionals worldwide. “This forum acts as a bridge between us,” he said, helping identify gaps that partnerships can fill. “Russia has long been a friend to Bangladesh – there’s now real opportunity for digital collaboration,” he added.
The Global Digital Forum showcased a growing vision of a multipolar digital future where Russia and the Global South work together to harness emerging technologies, strengthen trade ties, and foster innovation beyond traditional Western-dominated frameworks.
Source: RT
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
