Russian coking coal assets are being explored by Indian state-owned companies as New Delhi looks to secure critical raw materials for its steel industry and expand nickel supplies for electric vehicles, according to sources.
Steel Authority of India Ltd and NMDC Ltd recently held preliminary talks in Russia over possible sourcing and investment opportunities, the sources said.
The discussions come as India seeks to reduce supply risks in key industrial materials, including coking coal for steelmaking and nickel for stainless steel and electric vehicle batteries.
SAIL has also formed an internal panel to assess possible investments in Russian coking coal assets, according to the report.
Russian Coking Coal Talks Reflect India’s Supply Push
India’s interest in Russian coking coal reflects its wider effort to secure long-term supplies of materials needed for infrastructure, manufacturing and clean-energy industries.
Coking coal is a key ingredient in steel production, and India remains heavily dependent on imports to meet demand from its steel sector.
In January 2026, India designated coking coal as a critical and strategic mineral, underlining its importance for national industrial planning.
The move was aimed at speeding up exploration, approvals and development of domestic resources, but overseas assets remain important because India’s steel industry continues to require large volumes of imported coking coal.
SAIL And NMDC Explore Russian Coal Assets
State-owned SAIL and NMDC are among the companies looking at opportunities in Russia, where officials and company representatives discussed potential coking coal assets.
The talks remain preliminary, and no final investment decision has been announced.
For SAIL, securing coking coal is important because the company is one of India’s largest steel producers and depends on steady raw material supplies.
For NMDC, which is better known for iron ore mining, overseas opportunities in coking coal could support India’s broader resource security strategy.
India Also Seeks More Nickel Supplies From Russia
Alongside Russian coking coal, India is also exploring ways to increase nickel supplies from Russia.
Nickel is used in stainless steel and electric vehicle batteries, making it important for both traditional industry and India’s clean mobility plans.
India currently imports nickel mainly from countries including China, Japan, Norway and the United States, while Russian supplies remain limited.
Increasing nickel imports from Russia could help India diversify its sources and reduce dependence on a small group of suppliers.
Critical Minerals Become Strategic Priority
The talks with Russia come as India places greater focus on critical minerals needed for steel, electric vehicles, batteries and renewable energy technologies.
New Delhi has been working to strengthen domestic processing and secure overseas supplies of minerals such as lithium, nickel and coking coal.
India’s electric vehicle targets have also increased the urgency of securing battery-related raw materials.
The country aims to expand electric mobility in the coming years, which could sharply raise demand for nickel and other battery minerals.
Why India Russia Trade Matters
India Russia trade has remained important despite wider geopolitical pressure and shifting global supply chains.
For India, Russia offers a potential source of raw materials at a time when demand for steel, infrastructure and electric vehicles is increasing.
For Russia, deeper cooperation with India could help support exports and investment in sectors affected by Western sanctions and changing global trade patterns.
However, any deal involving Russian coking coal or nickel supplies would depend on commercial terms, logistics, sanctions risks and long-term supply reliability.
India Looks To Secure Industrial Raw Materials
India’s exploration of Russian coking coal assets and additional nickel supplies shows how raw material security is becoming central to economic planning.
The country’s growing steel industry needs reliable coking coal supplies, while its electric vehicle ambitions depend on steady access to battery minerals.
Although the talks are still at an early stage, they point to a broader shift in India’s strategy, from short-term imports toward long-term resource partnerships and overseas asset acquisition.
If successful, the move could help India diversify supply chains, support domestic manufacturing and reduce vulnerability to disruptions in critical minerals markets.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, June 10, 2026
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