India is preparing to sharply increase imports of Russian coking coal and is considering the purchase of a coal mine in Russia, according to a senior official from the country’s steel ministry. The official said the room for expanding supplies is significant, with cooperation possible not only through direct imports but also through Indian investment in Russian mining assets.

New Delhi’s interest in Russian coal is being driven by the rapid expansion of its steel industry. In 2025, India’s imports of Russian coking coal rose 85% to 12.4 million tonnes. The momentum continued into 2026, with January shipments up 63% year over year to 1.22 million tonnes. Russia has already become India’s second-largest supplier of the material after Australia.

The strategy is tied to India’s long-term industrial goals. The country aims to double steel production to 300 million tonnes by 2030, while relying on imports for most of its coking coal needs. That makes supplier diversification and direct control over raw-material assets increasingly important for New Delhi.

At the same time, India and Russia are also discussing a broader critical minerals agreement covering lithium and rare earths. This suggests the partnership is moving beyond coal and becoming part of a wider industrial and resource-security strategy.