• High-level conclave to open a new chapter of dialogue and collaboration across trade, energy, technology and culture.

SAMPARK 2026 to bring policymakers, diplomats, industry leaders and cultural institutions together to strengthen bilateral engagement

Kolkata, August 29, 2026: Kolkata is set to emerge as a significant new platform for India–Russia engagement with the launch of SAMPARK – India–Russia Bilateral Conclave 2026 – Eastern India’s first high-level bilateral conclave dedicated to strengthening strategic, economic, technological and cultural ties between the two longstanding partners.

Organised by P3 (People. Policy. Polity.), a Kolkata-based strategic think tank, the one-day, invitation-based conclave will be held on Monday, August 31, 2026, at the Bengal Convention Centre, Kolkata, bringing together policymakers, diplomats, industry leaders, scholars and cultural institutions from India and Russia.

At a time when the India–Russia partnership continues to evolve amid changing global realities, SAMPARK seeks to provide a distinct Eastern Indian perspective to the bilateral relationship. Moving beyond the traditional Delhi-centric framework of strategic dialogue, the conclave aims to position West Bengal and the Eastern Corridor as important stakeholders in the future of trade, connectivity, energy, technology and cultural cooperation.

Kolkata, historically a gateway to the East and a hub of commerce and cultural exchange, is uniquely placed to anchor this conversation. The conclave will explore how the region’s strategic geography and economic potential can help expand practical cooperation between India and Russia.

The deliberations at SAMPARK 2026 will be structured around four key pillars—Culture, Strategic Trade & Investment, Energy Dynamics, and Technology & Emerging Strategic Sectors. Discussions will examine opportunities across trade, investment, MSMEs, textiles, tea and agriculture, manufacturing, conventional and sustainable energy, digital innovation, artificial intelligence and other emerging sectors.

A special highlight of the conclave will be the Corridor of Excellence, a dedicated space designed to showcase the deep cultural connections, shared heritage and enduring friendship between India and Russia. The initiative underscores the belief that the strength of bilateral relations extends beyond diplomacy and economics to the enduring bonds between people, institutions and cultures.

The conclave has received support from several ministries of the Government of West Bengal, including those associated with industry and commerce, renewable energy, MSMEs and textiles, agricultural marketing, tourism, education and rural development, among others. Ministers and public representatives, along with senior voices from the diplomatic, policy, industry, banking, academic and cultural communities, are expected to participate.

Designed as a carefully curated platform, SAMPARK will also facilitate meaningful interaction beyond formal sessions, encouraging business-to-business, business-to-government, academic and people-to-people engagement. The objective is not merely to hold discussions, but to create lasting connections and conversations that can translate into meaningful cooperation in the years ahead.

“SAMPARK represents an important effort to bring Eastern India into the wider India–Russia conversation. By bringing together diverse stakeholders on a common platform, the conclave seeks to explore new opportunities for cooperation while celebrating a relationship built on decades of trust and friendship,” the organisers said.

With its focus on practical partnerships and emerging opportunities, SAMPARK 2026 is poised to mark a significant step towards giving Kolkata and Eastern India a stronger voice in one of India’s most enduring and strategically important international partnership