Astrakhan region maintains foreign trade relations with Asian countries. In South and East Asia, special attention is paid to the development of relations with the Republic of India and the People's Republic of China.
The region’s long-standing partner in India is the state of Gujarat, the protocol of cooperation with which was signed in 2001. Since 2019, the Honorary Consul General of the Republic of India has been operating in Astrakhan.
Astrakhan Region maintains bilateral contacts with the Henan Province of the People's Republic of China. In 2008, an agreement was signed between the Government of Astrakhan Region and the People's Government of Henan Province on trade, economic, scientific, technical and cultural cooperation.
Business contacts are maintained to ensure foreign investment flow into the regional economy. Astrakhan delegations attend Vibrant Gujarat Investment Summit, held biennially in India’s Gujarat State. Representatives of the business community of the Republic of India actively engage in negotiations regarding the development of the North–South ITC.
Companies from Asian countries are implementing various business projects in the region. Solar Systems LLC (established by the Amur Sirius Chinese company) has built and commissioned a series of solar power plants. Currently, Golden Industries Group LLC, as a resident of the Lotus special economic zone, is implementing a project to organize the production of ultra-pure special soot from natural gas.
Cooperation is underway in the field of culture and education.
Days of Indian culture are held in Astrakhan region. Since 2015, in association with the Jawaharlal Nehru Cultural Center of the Embassy of India in Moscow, International Day of Yoga is widely celebrated in Astrakhan. In 2018, Chinese singer Daphne Tian performed in “Pagliacci” on the stage of Astrakhan State Opera and Ballet Theater. In 2018–2020, the troupe of the Astrakhan State Opera and Ballet Theater visited the cities of China on tour.
Higher educational institutions of Astrakhan region are actively involved in stepping up cooperation with colleagues from Asia. Since 2019, cooperation and partnership agreements have been in force between Astrakhan State University and 4 state universities of Gujarat. Astrakhan State University is part of the group of basic Russian universities that form the SCO University.
Regular student and teacher exchanges are carried out. From 2017 to 2023 more than 60 students from Hainan and Sichuan provinces studied in Astrakhan.
In the 2023–2024 academic year, more than 80 students from India and China are studying in Astrakhan educational institutions. Indian citizens prefer to study in medical specialties, while Chinese citizens prefer to study music.