Russia is making a significant strategic pivot, actively pursuing extensive non-energy joint ventures (JVs) with India, shifting its economic engagement beyond the long-standing focus on oil and defense. This initiative aims at establishing localized production facilities across various sectors within India, with the objective of diversifying bilateral trade and significantly increasing the share of non-resource and non-energy goods. Credible reports indicate that Russian companies are in advanced discussions for manufacturing collaborations in crucial industries such as engineering, shipbuilding, information technology, renewable power, oil refining, metallurgy, critical minerals, rare earths, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture. Andrey Sobolev, Russia's trade representative in India, has affirmed that India remains an "absolute priority" in Moscow's foreign economic agenda, underscoring the strategic importance of this partnership. These joint ventures are envisioned to cater not only to India's burgeoning domestic market but also to position India as a manufacturing and supply hub for the broader South Asian region and other international markets. Furthermore, both nations are exploring cooperation on the Northern Sea Route, with discussions focused on developing a stable cargo base and defining economic parameters for transportation, alongside potential joint ventures in logistics and shipbuilding along this critical Arctic corridor. The overarching goal is to achieve an ambitious bilateral trade target of USD 100 billion by 2030, building on the substantial growth already witnessed, with trade reaching a record USD 68.7 billion in the financial year 2025, largely driven by India's crude oil imports. This intensified economic cooperation unfolds amidst a complex geopolitical landscape, marked by Western sanctions against Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. While the primary article focuses on economic expansion, related reports highlight concerns regarding Indian companies exporting dual-use products to Russia and instances of US and EU sanctions against Indian entities for alleged aid to Russia's military-industrial complex. This context emphasizes the delicate balance India navigates in maintaining its strategic autonomy while expanding economic ties with Russia. The shift towards non-energy JVs and localization represents a resilient approach by both countries to strengthen their economies and supply chains in a fragmented global environment.