Dr. Rashmi Saluja at SPIEF 2025: Advancing Global Partnerships

At the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in St. Petersburg, Russia, Dr. Rashmi Saluja delivered an address during the high-level session, “Women’s Contribution to Technological Development and Innovation for a Healthy Society."Drawing parallels between India and Russia, Dr. Saluja highlighted the pivotal yet often underrecognised role of women in strengthening households, communities, and national economies, particularly during periods of economic uncertainty. She emphasised that women are not only caregivers but also leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators, scientists, and policymakers whose contributions are essential to resilient and inclusive growth.Calling for greater global cooperation and investment in women’s participation across sectors, Dr. Saluja underscored the importance of creating opportunities that enable women to contribute fully to technological advancement, innovation, and sustainable development. Her address reinforced a simple yet powerful message: empowering women is fundamental to building healthier, more resilient, and prosperous societies.

At the prestigious St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) 2025, Dr. Rashmi Saluja addressed the high-level session, “Develop or Absorb? Global Digital Platforms and Their Impact on the Economies of Eurasia and the Global South.” Her address focused on the transformative potential of digital platforms to expand trade, entrepreneurship, and economic opportunities, particularly for women-led businesses and enterprises across the Global South and Eurasia.Dr. Saluja highlighted how digital marketplaces are helping women entrepreneurs and small businesses overcome traditional barriers to international trade by providing access to wider markets without requiring significant physical infrastructure or capital. She also emphasised the importance of strengthening India–Russia and India–Central Asia cooperation, particularly with Uzbekistan, through technology exchange, entrepreneurship, education, and cross-border business partnerships.Addressing the challenges of the digital divide, infrastructure gaps, and differing regulatory frameworks, Dr. Saluja called for greater international cooperation to develop inclusive digital infrastructure and harmonised cross-border frameworks. She underscored the need to ensure that technology-driven growth reaches women, entrepreneurs, and underserved communities, while fostering stronger partnerships among governments, businesses, and institutions to create sustainable pathways for trade, innovation, and shared prosperity.