Europe's Expansion in Trade with India: Urgent Need for Enhanced Economic Security Measures

As Europe strengthens its trading relationship with India, a recent report by Strider Technologies underscores the necessity for a more proactive stance on economic security. This call to action comes in light of significant findings regarding the transfer of sensitive goods to Russia via Indian intermediaries, raising alarms over potential risks associated with increased collaboration with emerging markets.

The report, titled "Terreno en disputa: La colaboración paralela de Rusia en la India y los riesgos para la seguridad económica de Europa" (Disputed Ground: Russia's Parallel Collaboration in India and Economic Security Risks for Europe), reveals that since Russia's large-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, over 50,000 sensitive items—many with dual-use applications—have made their way to Russian defense entities through Indian supply chains. These items include advanced components, such as high-performance processors and fiber optics, which can be utilized in military systems like unmanned aerial vehicles and missile technology.

This concerning trend is not isolated to just one European country. From 2022 to 2025, Britain saw a staggering 180% increase in the export of sensitive goods to Russia via India, while Sweden and Switzerland reported even more dramatic increases of 455% and 131%, respectively. Additionally, there was a significant uptick in goods originating from allied nations outside of Europe, such as a 529% increase from Australia and a 459% increase from the United States during the same period.

David Vigneault, the director of intelligence at Strider, emphasized that while these new trade agreements between Europe and India represent a crucial move toward economic resilience and deeper ties with one of the world's fastest-growing markets, the current geopolitical landscape necessitates a careful assessment of competitive risks. “Our research shows that Russia is adeptly leveraging many of these same manufacturing and technology ecosystems to maintain access to critical capabilities while circumventing sanctions,” Vigneault noted.

The data suggests that shared academic networks and talent pools can disseminate sensitive knowledge just as swiftly as physical goods can move through supply chains. Strider’s findings indicate that collaborative research publications between Russian and Indian institutions have remained high, exceeding 2,000 annually since 2022—particularly in artificial intelligence, where multiple cooperative agreements have been established.

As India plays an increasingly pivotal role as a global manufacturing hub, it also becomes more appealing to Russia as a strategic intermediary in sanction mitigation efforts. This presents a risk for companies operating in India, who may find themselves unintentionally exposed to vulnerabilities.

Strider's report advocates for public and private sector leaders to adopt measures to identify and mitigate risks within global commercial environments. Recommendations include establishing greater transparency in supply chains, monitoring end-use applications, and aligning business strategies with economic security policies.

In conclusion, while strengthening commercial ties with India presents significant opportunities for European economies, it is imperative that organizations also prioritize economic security in their decision-making processes. Companies investing in supply chain diligence and risk intelligence will be in a better position to harness the benefits of new markets while avoiding inadvertent long-term vulnerabilities.

For further insights, the complete report, "Terreno en disputa: La colaboración paralela de Rusia en India y los riesgos para la seguridad económica de Europa," is accessible online.

About Strider Technologies

Strider is a leading provider of strategic intelligence dedicated to empowering organizations to protect and enhance their technology and innovation. Leveraging cutting-edge AI technology and proprietary methodologies, Strider transforms public data into actionable insights. This strategic intelligence enables organizations to proactively address risks associated with state-sponsored intellectual property theft, selective talent acquisition, and third-party collaborations. Strider operates in 16 countries globally, with offices located in major cities such as Salt Lake City, Washington D.C., London, Tokyo, and Sydney.