INDIANS IN RUSSIA
The community of Indians in Russia includes Indian expatriates in Russia, as well as Russian citizens of Indian
origin or descent.
Migration History
Indian presence in Russia dates
back to the 17th century when Astrakhan,
a trading-port in the delta of the Volga river by
the Caspian Sea was incorporated into Moscow
state. By then, Indian traders had reached as far as Isfahan in Persia, Kizlyar in
the North Caucasus and Astrakhan in
Russia. The first Indians from Sindh and Multan arrived
in Russian Astrakhan in 1615. In 1624, a special trading post for Indian
merchants was erected in Astrakhan along with separate posts for Armenian and
Persian merchants. Many of them were dealers in Astrakhan textiles, jewelry and
medicines. There are records of Indians marrying Tartar women.By the early 18th
century Indian merchants lived not only in Astrakhan, but also in Moscow.
Russian chroniclers reported the presence of Hindu traders in Moscow in the
18th century.
Indian diamond trade was known then in Moscow and St. Petersburg.
While it is impossible to speak of a continued Indian presence, Astrakhan
Indians are known to have dispersed to Kazan, Moscow,
and St. Petersburg and their descendents became
assimilated, although, it may be assumed that some families of ‘Russian
Indians’ still keep memories of their South Asian ancestors.The Soviet
era also witnessed the emergence of an Indian Communist
community in Moscow and Leningrad in the 1920s and the 1930s.
From the mid-1950s onwards significant numbers of Indian students began
attending educational institutions in Moscow, Leningrad, Sverdlovsk and Kursk .
A few managed to remain in Russia after completing their education. The
situation however changed with the collapse of the Soviet
Union.
Religion
A majority of Indians living in Russia are
Hindus. Hinduism has been spread in Russia
primarily due to the work of missionaries from the Vaishnava Hindu
organization International Society for Krishna Consciousness, Brahma
Kumaris and by itinerant swamis from India. There
is an active Tantra Sangha operating in Russia. There is also a significant
number of Indian Muslims in Russia who descendents from Indian traders who
converted to Islam as well as Indians who follow Russian
Orthodox Christianity.
Discrimination
A deep concern for the
Russian Indian community is the rise of racism in post-Soviet Russia.
The media has identified several instances where Indians were the victims – one
was reportedly killed in St Petersberg. Most recently there was the murder of
23-year-old medical student Atish Kumar Ramgoolam, an Indian from Mauritius.
Another incident where Nits Kumar Singh, a sixth-year Indian student from the
Mechnikov Medical Academy in St Petersburg, was fatally stabbed by a group of
eight masked persons in front of his hostel building.
Racist attacks on
students of South Asian origin from Suriname and Guyana are
also reported. Neo-Nazi groups in Russia have
threatened and attacked not just Indians but other non-whites in general such
as Chinese, Vietnamese and Pakistanis.The
Russian government has assured to take all steps to ensure security of Indians
in that country after New Delhi conveyed its concerns over their safety.Another
concern is that relating to the establishment of Indian religious and cultural
institutions, particularly the proposed construction of a Hindu
temple on Hodinskoye Pole in Moscow which has led to heated
discussion in Russian society.
India–Russia relationsIndo-Russo relations refer to the bilateral relations between the Republic of India and the Russian Federation.
During the Cold War, India and
theSoviet Union (USSR) enjoyed a
strong strategic, military, economic and diplomatic relationship. After the
collapse of the USSR, Russia inherited the close relationship with India, even
as India improved its relations with the West after the end of the Cold War.Traditionally, the
Indo-Russian strategic partnership has been built on five major components: politics, defence, civil nuclear energy, anti-terrorism co-operation and space.. These five major components were highlighted in a speech
given by the Indian Foreign
Secretary Ranjan Mathai in Russia.However, in
recent years a sixth component, economic, has grown in importance with both
countries setting a target for US$20 billion in bilateral trade by 2015.In order to
facilitate this target both countries are looking to develop a free trade agreement.Bilateral trade between both countries
in 2012 grew by over 30%. The powerful IRIGC is
the main body that conducts affairs at the governmental level between both
countries.Both countries are members of many international bodies where they
jointly collaborate closely on matters of shared national interest. Important
examples include the UN, BRICS, G20 and SCO where India has observer status and has been asked by Russia to become a full member.Russia
has stated publicly that it supports India receiving a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.In addition, Russia has
expressed interest in joining SAARC with observer status in which India is a founding member.
India is
the second largest market for the Russian defence industry. In 2004, more than 70% of the Indian Military's hardware came from Russia, making Russia
the chief supplier of defence equipment. India has an embassy in Moscow and two consulates-general (in Saint Petersburg and Vladivostok). Russia has an embassy in New Delhi and four
consulates-general (in Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai)
Soviet Union and India
A cordial relationship with India that began in the 1950s
represented the most successful of the Soviet attempts to foster closer
relations with Third World countries. The relationship began with a visit by
Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to the Soviet
Union in June 1955 and Khrushchev's return trip to India in the
fall of 1955. While in India, Khrushchev announced that the Soviet Union
supported Indian sovereignty over the disputed territory of the Kashmir
region and over Portuguese coastal enclaves.The Soviet Union's
strong relations with India had a negative impact upon both Soviet relations
with the People's Republic of China, and Indian relations with the PRC, during
the Khrushchev period. The Soviet Union declared its neutrality during the 1959
border dispute and the Sino-Indian war of 1962, although the Chinese
strongly objected. The Soviet Union gave India substantial economic and
military assistance during the Khrushchev period, and by 1960 India had
received more Soviet assistance than China had. This disparity became another
point of contention in Sino-Soviet relations. In 1962 the Soviet Union agreed
to transfer technology to co-produce the MiG-21 jet fighter in India, which the
Soviet Union had earlier denied to China.
In 1965 the Soviet Union served successfully as
peace broker between India and Pakistan after an Indian-Pakistani border war.
The Soviet Chairman of the Council
of Ministers, literally Premier of the Soviet Union, Alexei
Kosygin, met with representatives of India and Pakistan and helped them
negotiate an end to the military conflict over Kashmir.
In 1971 the former East Pakistan region
initiated an effort to secede from its political union with West
Pakistan. India supported the secession and, as a guarantee against possible
Chinese entrance into the conflict on the side of West Pakistan, signed a
treaty of friendship and collaboration with the Soviet Union in August 1971. In
December, India entered the conflict and ensured the victory of the
secessionists and the establishment of the new state of Bangladesh.
Relations between the Soviet Union and India did
not suffer much during the rightist Janata Party's coalition
government in the late 1970s, although India did move to establish better
economic and military relations with Western countries. To counter these
efforts by India to diversify its relations, the Soviet Union proffered
additional weaponry and economic assistance.
During the 1980s, despite the 1984 assassination by
Sikh separatists of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, the mainstay of cordial
Indian-Soviet relations, India maintained a close relationship with the Soviet
Union. Indicating the high priority of relations with the Soviet Union in
Indian foreign policy, the new Indian prime minister, Rajiv
Gandhi, visited the Soviet Union on his first state visit abroad in May 1985
and signed two long-term economic agreements with the Soviet Union. In turn,
Gorbachev's first visit to a Third World state was his meeting with Prime
Minister Rajiv Gandhi in New Delhi in late 1986. Gorbachev unsuccessfully urged
Gandhi to help the Soviet Union set up an Asian collective security system.
Gorbachev's advocacy of this proposal, which had also been made by Brezhnev,
was an indication of continuing Soviet interest in using close relations with
India as a means of containing China. With the improvement of Sino-Soviet
relations in the late 1980s, containing China had less of a priority, but close
relations with India remained important as an example of Gorbachev's new Third
World policy.
Russia and India
Relations with India have always been and I am sure will
be one of the most important foreign policy priorities of our country. Our
mutual ties of friendship are filled with sympathy, and trust, and openness.
And we must say frankly that they were never overshadowed by disagreements or
conflict. This understanding - this is indeed the common heritage of our
peoples. It is valued and cherished in our country, in Russia, and in India.
And we are rightfully proud of so close, so close relations between our
countries.
Dmitry Medvedev, about relations with India
We are confident that
India lives in the hearts of every Russian. In the same way, I can assure you
that Russia also lives in our souls as a Homeland, as people who share our
emotions, our feelings of mutual respect and constant friendship. Long live our
friendship!
Pratibha Patil, about relations with Russia
Political relations
The first major political initiative, since the
collapse of the Soviet Union, between India and Russia began with the Strategic
Partnership signed between the two countries in 2000. PresidentVladimir Putin stated
in an article written by him in the Hindu, "The
Declaration on Strategic Partnership between India and Russia signed in October
2000 became a truly historic step"Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also
agreed with his counterpart by stated in speech given during President Putin's
2012 visit to India, "President Putin is a valued friend of India and the
original architect of the India-Russia strategic partnership". Both
countries closely collaborate on matters of shared national interest these
include at the UN, BRICS, G20 and SCO where
India hasobserver status and has been asked by Russia to become a full member. Russia
also strongly supports India receiving a permanent seat on the United
Nations Security Council. In addition, Russia has vocal backed India joining the NSG and APEC. Moreover,
it has also expressed interest in joining SAARC with
observer status in which India is a founding member.
Russia currently is one of only two countries in
the world (the other being Japan) that has a mechanism for annual
ministerial-level defence reviews with India.. The
Indo-Russian Inter-Governmental Commission (IRIGC), which is one of the largest
and comprehensive governmental mechanisms that India has had with any country
internationally. Almost every department from the Government of India attends
it..
IRIGC
The Indo-Russian Inter-Governmental Commission
(IRIGC) is the main body that conducts affairs at the governmental level
between both countries. Some have described it as the steering
committee of Indo-Russia relations. It is divided into two parts,
the first covering Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural
Co-operation. This is normally co-chaired by the Russian Deputy Prime Minister and
the Indian External Affairs Minister. The second part of the
commission covers Military Technical Co-operation this is co-chaired by the two
countries respective Defence Ministers. Both parts of IRIGC meet annually.
In addition, to the IRIGC there are other bodies
that conduct economic relations between the two countries. These include, the
Indo-Russian Forum on Trade and Investment, the India-Russia Business Council,
the India-Russia Trade, Investment and Technology Promotion Council and the
India-Russia Chamber of Commerce.
Military relations
Defence relations between India and the Russian
Federation have a historical perspective. The Soviet Union was an important
supplier of defence equipment for several decades, and that relationship was
inherited by Russia after the break-up of the Soviet Union. Today, the
co-operation is not limited to a buyer-seller relationship but includes joint
research and development, training, service to service contacts, including
joint exercises. The last joint naval exercises took place in April 2007 in the Sea
of Japan and joint airborne exercises were held in September 2007
in Russia. The last military exercise between Russian and Indian army units
were held in Uttarakhand in October 2010. However, the bilateral relations seem
to be strained with Russia cancelling both its 'Indra' series of military
exercises with India for the year 2011. In April 2011, a flotilla of five
warships from the Indian navy's eastern fleet that went for joint naval
exercises to Vladivostok in the Russian far-east, was turned back without any
manoeuvres. The joint army exercises scheduled to be held in Russia in June,
2011 was also cancelled shortly afterwards. One of the reasons given was that
the MoD had not informed Moscow of the army exercises in advance.
An Inter-Governmental commission on
military-technical co-operation is co-chaired by the defence ministers of the
two countries. The seventh session of this Inter-Governmental Commission was
held in October 2007 in Moscow. During the visit, an agreement on joint
development and production of prospective multi-role fighters was signed
between the two countries.
An India–Russia co-operation agreement was signed
in December 1988. It has resulted in the sale of a multitude of defence
equipment to India and also the emergence of the countries as development
partners as opposed to purely a buyer-seller relationship. Two programmes that
evidence this approach are the projects to form Indian-Russian joint ventures
to develop and produce the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA)
and the Multirole Transport Aircraft (MTA).
The agreement is pending a 10-year extension.
India and Russia have several major joint military
programmes including:
·
BrahMos cruise
missile programme
·
5th generation fighter
jet programme
·
Sukhoi Su-30MKI programme
(230+ to be built by Hindustan Aeronautics)
·
Ilyushin/HAL Tactical
Transport Aircraft
Additionally, India has purchased/leased various
military hardware from Russia:
·
T-90S Bhishma with
over 1000 to be built in India
·
Akula-II nuclear
submarine (2 to be leased with an option to buy when the lease expires)
·
INS Vikramaditya aircraft
carrier programme
·
Tu-22M3 bombers (4
ordered)
·
US$900 million upgrade
of MiG-29
·
Mil Mi-17 (80
ordered)
·
Ilyushin Il-76 Candid
(6 ordered to fit Israeli Phalcon radar)
·
The Farkhor
Air Base in Tajikistan is currently jointly operated
by India and Russia.
In May 2011, Russia cancelled joint army and naval
exercises with India allegedly in response to the elimination
of Mikoyan MiG-35from the Indian MRCA competition. An
Indian Navy report to the Ministry of Defence referred to Russia as a
fair-weather friend and recommended the review of Russia's status as a
strategic partner. Both countries signed a defence deal worth $2.9 billion
during President Putin's visit to India in December 2012. The 42 new Sukhois,
to be produced under licence by defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics, will add to
the 230 Sukhois earlier contracted from Russia. Overall, the price tag for the
272 Sukhois - three of the over 170 inducted till now have crashed - stands at
over $12 billion.The medium-lift Mi-17 V5 helicopters (59 for IAF and 12 for
home ministry/BSF) will add to the 80 such choppers already being inducted
under a $1.34 billion deal inked in 2008. The value of India's defence projects
with Russia will further zoom north after the imminent inking of the final
design contract for the joint development of a futuristic stealth
fifth-generation fighter. This R&D contract is itself pegged at US$11
billion, to be shared equally by the two countries. So if India inducts over
200 of these 5th Gen fighters, as it hopes to do from 2022 onwards, the overall
cost of this gigantic project for India will come to around US$35 billion since
each of the jets will come for upwards of US$100 million at least.
1. Economic relations
Bilateral trade turnover is modest and stood at
US$3 billion in 2006–07, of which Indian exports to Russia were valued at
US$908 million. The major Indian exports to Russia are pharmaceuticals; tea,
coffee and spices; apparel and clothing; edible preparations; and engineering
goods. Main Indian imports from Russia are iron and steel; fertilisers;
non-ferrous metals; paper products; coal, coke & briquettes; cereals; and
rubber. Indo-Russian trade is expected to reach US$10 billion by 2010.
The India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on
Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Co-operation (IRIGC) is
co-chaired by India's External Affairs Minister and the Russian Deputy Prime
Minister. There are six Joint Working Groups [WG] under the IRIGC, namely, WG
on Trade and Economy [trade and financial matters], WG on Energy [oil and gas,
thermal and hydel power, non-conventional energy], WG on Metallurgy and Mining
[steel, non-ferrous metal, coal], WG on Science & Technology; WG on
Communication and Information Technology; and WG on Culture and Tourism. The 13th
of the IRIGC was held in Moscow on 12 October 2007.
The two countries have set up India-Russia Forum on
Trade and Investment at the level of the two Commerce Ministers to promote
trade, investment and economic co-operation. The first Forum was held in New
Delhi on 12–13 February 2007, which was attended by the
Minister of Commerce and Industry and the Russian Minister of Economic
Development and Trade, apart from a large number of business representatives
from both sides. The Minister of Commerce & Industry, Shri Kamal
Nath participated in the 11th Saint Petersburg International
Economic Forum on 9–10 June 2007.
In February 2006, India and Russia also set up a
Joint Study Group to examine ways to increase trade to US$10 billion by 2010
and to study feasibility of a Comprehensive Economic
Co-operation Agreement (CECA). The group finalised its report after its fourth
meeting in Moscow in July 2007. It has been agreed that a Joint Task Force
would monitor the implementation of the recommendation made in the Joint Study
Group Report, including considering CECA. The second BRIC summit was
held in BrasÃlia in April 2010. India and Russia agreed to jointly study a
Comprehensive Economic Co-operation Agreement with Belarus-Kazakhstan with the
aim of boosting trade ties and achieving the ambitious trade target of $20
billion by 2015. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh stated in speech given
during President Putin's 2012 visit to India, "Our bilateral trade has
grown by over 30 per cent this year. There is still untapped potential in areas
such as pharmaceuticals, fertilisers, mining, steel, information technology,
civil aviation, telecommunications, infrastructure, food processing, innovation
and services, which we will work to exploit".
Co-operation in the Energy sector
Energy sector is an important area in Indo-Russian
bilateral relations. In 2001, ONGC-Videsh Limited acquired 20% stake in the
Sakhalin-I oil and gas project in the Russian Federation, and has invested
about US $1.7 billion in the project. The Russian company Gazprom and
Gas Authority of India Ltd. have collaborated in joint development of a block
in the Bay of Bengal. Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project with two
units of 1000 MW each is a good example of Indo-Russian nuclear
energy co-operation. Both sides have expressed interest in
expanding co-operation in the energy sector.
In December 2008, Russia and India signed an
agreement to build civilian nuclear reactors in India during a visit by the
Russian president to New Delhi.
Space Co-operation
Space is another key sector of
collaboration between the two countries. During President Vladimir
Putin's visit to India in December 2004, two space-related bilateral agreements
were signed viz. Inter-Governmental umbrella Agreement on co-operation in the
outer space for peaceful purposes and the Inter Space Agency Agreement on
co-operation in the Russian satellite navigation system "GLONASS".
Subsequently a number of follow-up agreements on GLONASS have been signed. In
November 2007, the two countries have signed an agreement on joint lunar
exploration. These space co-operation programmes are under implementation. Chandrayaan-2 is
a joint lunar exploration mission proposed by the Indian Space Research
Organisation (ISRO) and the Russian Federal Space Agency (RKA)
and has a projected cost of 4.25 billion (US$90 million). The
mission, proposed to be launched in 2013 by a Geosynchronous Satellite
Launch Vehicle (GSLV) launch vehicle, includes a lunar orbiter and a
rover made in India as well as one lander built by Russia.
Science and Technology
The ongoing collaboration in the field of science
& technology, under the Integrated Long-Term Programme of Co-operation
(ILTP) is the largest co-operation programme in this sphere for both India and
Russia. ILTP is coordinated by the Department of Science and Technology from
the Indian side and by the Russian Academy of Sciences and Russian
Ministry of Industry & Science and Technology from the Russian side.
Development of SARAS Duet aircraft, semiconductor products, super computers, poly-vaccines,
laser science and technology, seismology, high-purity materials, software &
IT and Ayurveda have been some of the priority areas of co-operation under the
ILTP. Under this programme, eight joint Indo-Russian centres have been
established to focus on joint research and development work. Two other Joint
Centres on Non-ferrous Metals and Accelerators and Lasers are being set up in
India. A Joint Technology Centre based in Moscow to bring cutting edge
technologies to the market is also under processing. An ILTP Joint Council met
in Moscow on 11–12 October 2007 to review co-operation and give it further
direction. In August 2007, an Moue was signed between Department of Science and
Technology and Russian Foundation of Basic Research, Moscow to pursue
scientific co-operation.
North-South Transport Corridor
The "North-South" Transport Corridor
Agreement [INSTC] has been ratified by all the three original signatory states,
viz. India, Iran and Russia, and has come into force since 16 May 2002. This
route is expected to reduce the cost of movement of goods between India and
Russia and beyond. The 3rd Coordination Council Meeting of the INSTC was held
in October 2005 in New Delhi and the 4th meeting was held in Aktau, Kazakhstan
in October 2007 to discuss further streamlining the operation of the corridor.
Cooperation in the Cultural Sphere
India–Russia relations in the field of culture are
historical. Prominent Russian painter and philosopher Nicholas
Roerich was influenced by the philosophy of Ramakrishna and
Vivekananda, the poetry of Rabindranath Tagore, and the Bhagavad Gita. He spent his
last life in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh. The 130th birth anniversary of Nicholas
Roerich and 100th birth anniversary of Svetoslav
Roerich were celebrated in India in October 2004. Notable Russian
Indologists like Eugene Chelyshev and Gury
Marchuk were awarded the Sahitya Akademi Fellowship by
the Government of India.
Days of Russian Culture were held in India in
November 2003, in Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai. "Days of Indian Culture"
in Russia were organised from September to October 2005 in Russia. Chief
Minister of National Capital Territory of Delhi led a delegation for
participating in the event "Days of Delhi in Moscow" from 28 May 1
June 2006. The "Year of Russia in India" was held in 2008. It was
followed by the "Year of India in Russia" in 2009. There is a Hindi Department,
in the University of Moscow along with five Chairs
relating to Ideology in Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Kazan and Vladivostok.
Terrorism
On international terrorism, India and Russia agree
that there is no justification for terrorism, and this must be fought against,
without compromise and wherever it exists. Russia has supported the Indian
draft at the UN on Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism [CCIT].
The two sides signed a Moue on co-operation in combating terrorism in December
2002. A Joint Working Group on Combating International Terrorism meets from
time to time and its fourth meeting was held in Delhi on 24 October 2006.Both
Russia and India have faced the problem of terrorism, India has seen it in the
context of its military presence in Kashmir and Russia has seen it in Chechnya
and both the countries are supportive of each other on the issue of terrorism.
Nuclear Deals
On 7 November 2009, India signed a new nuclear deal
with Russia apart from the deals that were agreed upon by the two countries
earlier. India and Russia are in discussion for construction of
two more nuclear power units at Kudankulam. The two units already set up are
ready for operation.During Russian president Vladimir Putin's visit to India
for the 13th annual summit, a co-operative civilian nuclear energy road map was
agreed to. Running until 2030, sixteen to eighteen new reactors will be
constructed, with installed capacity of 1000 MW each. A 1000 MW reactor costs
around $2.5 billion so the deal may touch $45 billion in worth.
India-Russia
Relations
Bilateral ties with Russia are a
key pillar of India's foreign policy. India sees Russia as a longstanding and
time-tested friend that has played a significant role in its economic
development and security. Since the signing of the “Declaration on the
India-Russia Strategic Partnership” in October 2000 (during the visit of
President Vladimir Putin to India) India-Russia ties have acquired a qualitatively
new character with enhanced levels of cooperation taking place in almost all
areas of the bilateral relationship including political, security, trade and
economy, defense, energy, science
and technology and culture. Under the Declaration of Strategic Partnership,
several institutionalized dialogue mechanisms have been put in place that
operate at the political and official
levels, and ensure regular
interaction and follow up on cooperation activities. In the last couple of
years, the two countries have decided to further elevate the strategic
partnership to the level of a “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership”.
The 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India
and Russia was celebrated on 13 April 2012.
Political
relations
Annual Summit meeting between the
Prime Minister of India and the President of the Russian Federation is the
highest institutionalized dialogue mechanism. Since the Declaration of
Strategic Partnership, thirteen Summit meetings have taken place alternatively
in India and Russia. The 13th Summit meeting between Prime Minister
Dr. Manmohan Singh and President Vladimir Putin was held on December 24, 2012
in New Delhi. The two governments have also established two Inter-Governmental
Commissions - one on Trade,
Economic, Scientific, Technological
and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC), cochaired by the External Affairs
Minister and the Russian Deputy Prime Minister and another on Military
Technical Cooperation (IRIGC- MTC) co-chaired by the two Defense Ministers,
both of which meet annually. IRIGC-MTC and IRIGCMTC meetings were respectively
held in New Delhi on 10 October and 15 October 2012. The two countries also
hold periodic parliamentary exchanges. India- Russia cooperation in the
military technical sphere has evolved from
a simple buyer-seller framework to
one involving joint research & development, joint production and marketing
of advanced defence technologies and systems such as on the BrahMos missile
system. Joint development of the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft and the
Multi-role Transport Aircraft, as well as the
licensed production in India of
SU-30 aircraft and T-90 tanks, are other examples
of flagship cooperation programs
presently underway in this area. Russia has been a partner of India in nuclear
energy and recognizes India as a country with advanced nuclear technology and
an impeccable nonproliferation record. The construction of the Kudankulam
Nuclear Power Project (KKNPP) exemplifies ongoing cooperation in this area.
Units 1&2 of the KKNPP (VVER 1000 MW units) are being built with Russian
collaboration. Unit 1 is due to be commissioned soon, while Unit 2 is at an
advanced stage of construction. Negotiations for the construction of two
additional Units 3&4 at Kudankulam are at an advanced stage.
India and Russia have also been
collaborating in several high-technology projects. Under the 2004
Inter-Governmental Agreement on “Cooperation in the area of exploration and use
of outer space for peaceful purposes”, Russia and
India are cooperating on projects
such as the Moon Mission ‘Chandrayan 2’, the
planned Human Space Flight Project
and GLONASS navigation. On 20 April 2011, the jointly developed Indian-Russian
Student Satellite “Youthsat” was successfully launched by India on a PSLV
rocket.
Commercial
relations
Bilateral trade has been growing
steadily. Trade in 2011 stood at US $ 8.9 billion from a figure of US $ 7.5
billion in 2009. In 2011, Russian exports to India amounted to US $ 6.1 billion
and imports from India to Russia amounted to US $ 2.8 billion. During January-
October 2012, the bilateral trade amounted to US $
8.72 bn. The two-way cumulative
investment between India and Russia stands at approximately US $ 7.8 billion.
Both India and Russia acknowledge
that given the respective sizes of their economies and the untapped economic
complementarities, vast potential exists for an increase in bilateral trade
volumes and investment. In 2009, both sides set the target of achieving US $ 20
billion in bilateral trade by 2015. Special attention is being paid to energy,
pharmaceuticals, IT, steel, hydrocarbons, aerospace, and diamonds and food
products for this purpose. The India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on
Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation
(IRIGC-TEC), co-chaired by the Indian External Affairs Minister and the Russian
Deputy Prime Minister, is the main institutional mechanism supervising economic
cooperation. It integrates six
working groups on economic and
trade cooperation, modernization and industrial cooperation, energy, tourism
and culture, science and technology, and IT. The 18th IRIGC-TEC meeting took
place in New Delhi on 15 October 2012. The India-Russia Forum on Trade and
Investment (established in 2007 and co-chaired by the Commerce and Industry
Minister of India and the Russian Minister for Economic Development) and the
India-Russia CEO’s Council (established in February 2008 and co-chaired by Mr.
A. M. Naik, Chairman L & T Ltd., and Mr. Vladimir Yevtushenkov, CEO of
SISTEMA) are the two primary mechanisms to promote direct business-to-business
contacts. The last meeting of the India–Russia Forum on Trade & Investment
was held on 15 October 2012 in New Delhi. Mechanisms such as the India-Russia
Business Council (in partnership with FICCI of India and CCI of Russia)
established in 2007; the IndiaRussia Trade, Investment and Technology Promotion
Council (in partnership withCII of India and RUIE of Russia) established in
2007; and the India-Russia
Chamber of Commerce (focusing on
SMEs), supplement the efforts to builddirect business-to-business ties. In June
2012, the 3rd India-Russia BusinessDialogue was also held within the framework
of the annual St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF).Science &
Technology Cooperation The Working Group on Science and Technology functioning
under the IRIGC-TEC, the Integrated Long Term Programme (ILTP) and the Basic
Science Cooperation Programme are the three main institutional mechanisms for
bilateral S&T cooperation, while the Science Academies of the two countries
promote inter-academy exchanges. The ILTP supports collaborative research in
basic and applied sciences. It has resulted in establishment of 9 thematic
centers in India and Russia and implementation of 500 projects. In 2010 the
program was extended for 10 years with a renewed mandate - Innovation Led
Technology Programme. An India-Russia Science & Technology Centre was set
up in 2011-12 with a branch each in Delhi-NCR and Moscow, to promote transfer
and
commercialization of technologies
developed jointly / independently by scientists of the two countries.
Cultural
Cooperation
There are strong traditions of
cultural and academic exchanges between the two countries. Jawaharlal Nehru
Cultural Center (JNCC) of the Embassy of India, Moscow maintains close links
with Russian institutions such as the Institute of Philosophy, Moscow, that has
a Mahatma Gandhi Chair on Indian Philosophy;
Institute of Oriental Studies,
Moscow; Institute of Asian and African Studies of the Moscow State University;
School of International Relations, St. Petersburg University; Kazan State
University; and Far Eastern National University,Vladivostok. About 20 Russian
Institutions, including leading universities and schools, teach Hindi to over
1500 Russian students. Besides in Hindi, there are also Russian experts in
Indian languages such as Bengali, Gujarati, Marathi,Pali, Sanskrit, Tamil, and
Urdu. Interest in Indian dance and music is widespread
and yoga is very popular in Russia.
The JNCC conducts classes in yoga, dance, music and Hindi, for approximately
800 students every month. There are several other cultural initiatives aimed at
promoting people-topeople contacts between the two countries and the travel of
Russian tourists to India has been rising in recent years. In 2009, the Year of
India was held in Russia. In September 2011, a mini Festival of Indian Culture
was organized in Russia, while several cultural events and academic conferences
were held as
part of the celebrations of the
150th anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore. During 2012, the Embassy of India,
Moscow organized a number of academic, cultural and other events to mark the
65th anniversary of establishement of diplomatic ties between India and Russia.
A Festival of Russian Culture was organized in India in 2012. “Days of Moscow
in New Delhi” were also held from 26-29 October2012.
Indian CommunityThe Indian
Community in the Russian Federation is estimated at about 15,000. In addition,
there are about 1,500 Afghan nationals of Indian origin in Russia. There are
about 500 Indian businessmen residing in Russia including about 200 who work in
Moscow. It is estimated that there are around 300
registered Indian companies in
Russia majority of them involved in trading. Tea,coffee, tobacco,
pharmaceuticals, rice, spices, leather footwear, granite, I.T. and
garments are amongst the products
being imported by these companies from
India.There are approximately 4,500
Indian students enrolled in medical and technical institutions in the Russian
Federation. About 90% of these students pursue medical studies in about 20
universities/institutions spread across the country.
The Hindustani Samaj is the oldest
Indian organization in Russia. Set up in 1957, it works in close co-operation
with the Embassy of India, Moscow. Other Indian organizations in Moscow include
AMMA, DISHA, Indian Business Alliance,Overseas Bihar Association, Textile
Business Alliance, Bhartiya Sanskritik Samaj, Brahma Kumaris, ISKCON, Gurudwara
Prabandhak Committee, and Ramakrishna Society Vedanta Centre.
There is an Embassy of India School
in Moscow, affiliated to Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan in New Delhi with
teachers deputed from India. The School has classes from I to XII and has about
360 students.
Be vigilant, Indian students in Russia told
MOSCOW: Amid growing racial attacks
against non-white foreigners in Russia, the Indian Embassy in Moscow has
"strongly advised" the students to be vigilant and take due
precautions for their personal security.
"Indian students in
Russia are strongly advised to take adequate precautions themselves for their
personal security, particularly during all their outdoor movements," the
Indian Embassy said, in an advisory posted on its website.
The advisory comes in the wake
of brutal murder of a medical student from Bihar in Russia's second largest
city of St Petersburg last month, sparking off angry protests.
Nits Kumar Singh, a sixth-year
Indian student from the Mechnikov Medical Academy in St Petersburg, was fatally
stabbed by a group of eight masked persons in front of his hostel building on
September 24.
The Embassy said that Indian
diplomatic missions in Moscow and St Petersburg have strongly taken up the
issue of security for Indian students with the Russian authorities.
"There can be no
substitute for remaining very vigilant and exercising due caution and prudence
in one's movements," the advisory said.
Earlier, in April, another
Indian, a fifth-year student from the same Medical Academy, Kishore Kumar
Anjangi, was also attacked in the same area. Anjangi, however, survived.
Additionally, eleven foreign
students from Africa, Asia and Latin America have also been attacked in the
last one year in St Petersburg and Voronezh.
The Indian mission said
Russian authorities have promised to take action against the attackers and
assured improved security for the foreign students.
"The problem of attacks
on non-white foreign students in Russia would require a more comprehensive
approach by the Russian authorities," the advisory said.
There have been several
incidents of violent attacks on Indian and other foreign students in different
parts of the Russian Federation by extremist groups.
St Petersburg accounts for
highest number of all such attacks, according to police statistics, followed by
Moscow and Voronezh.
Neo-Nazis threaten Indians in Russia
MOSCOW: in an attempt to terrorise members
of the indian community, a neo-nazi group has sent an e-mail message to the
indian embassy here ordering indians to quit russia. in a message signed 'ivan'
- a common russian name - the association of russian skinheads threatened to
kill all aliens saying "russia is for russians" and claimed that
police and the government were with them. the indian embassy has taken the
threat seriously and advised members of the indian community to take extra precautions
and has approached the russian foreign ministry. russia on the whole and moscow
in particular usually becomes the scene of ugly racial violence against
non-whites during april when russian neo-nazis 'celebrate' adolf hitler's
birthday. however, police authorities have denied any racial violence in the
country and write off the numerous assaults on non-whites, including caucasian
minorities, to "common hooliganism". according to human rights
workers and experts of moscow helsinki group fighting for creating a civic,
democratic society in russia, neo-nazi attacks are not specifically directed
against indians, but against non-whites in general. more and more chinese,
vietnamese and caucasians are becoming victims of racial violence, they said.
The Indian Diaspora In Russia
However,
it is not generally known that there is a significant Indian and South Asian
diasporic presence in Russia. A recent study sponsored by the Russian Academy
of Sciences claims that Russia may indeed be witnessing the re-emergence of
that once extensive Indian Diaspora that stretched from Sindh through Central
Asia and into Russia.
The
study’s author, Dr. Igor Y. Kotin of St. Petersburg State University, concludes
that the problems facing the 40,000 people of Indian origin in Russia is
approximately the same as those faced by Indians elsewhere: racism and cultural
alienation from the host society, religious intolerance against Hinduism’s
vibrant presence, illegal immigration and transit movement of immigrants to
other destinations, and problems relating to education, business and
settlement.
Consider
the following demographics: the 2002 census of the Russian population counted
2,000 persons of Indian origin in Russia. However, the Report of the High Level
Committee on Indian diaspora gives a figure of 16,000 Non-Resident Indians in
the country. And the figure given by the President of the Association of
Indians in Russia, is 40,000.
Prof.
Kotin believes that the estimate of 40,000 is reasonable.
Kotin
figures that there are an estimated 10,000 Indian students studying in Moscow
alone. Another 10,000 may reflect the number of illegal migrants from South
Asia who live in the Moscow area. Besides students, there are numbers of
businessmen in St Petersburg, Novgorod, Kazan and Kursk. Half of the total
figure may be residing in St Petersburg.
In
comparison with 2 million Indo-Americans, 1 million Indo-Canadians, 1.5 million
Indians in the United Kingdom, and 1.5 million Indian citizens currently
resident in Saudi Arabia, 40,000 Indians in the Russian Federation is a small
figure. Yet, for continental Europe this figure is not miniscule. It is
comparable with the number of Indians in Germany (25,000 of Indian citizens and
10,000 of persons of Indian origin) and in Spain (16,000 of persons of Indian
origin and 13,000 Indian citizens).
According
to Kotin, the number of Indians in the Russian Federation is larger than that
in all of Eastern Europe.
The
significance of the Indian presence in Russia is, according to Kotin, not in
their numbers. The Russian Federation is a country rich in oil, gas, electric
power and other resources. Even though it has the potential for significant
economic growth, it is not generally considered to be the safest place for
investment or even for living the good life -- a reality that tends to frighten
western businessmen, but gives a competing edge to those from Asia.
Also,
because of the warm relations between the erstwhile Soviet Russia and India for
more than 55 years, Indians have always found a welcoming atmosphere among
Russians. Russian society was in love with Indian movies and music for a long
time, thus, it is more likely to accept Indians as a part of its emerging
multi-cultural mosaic replacing Soviet uniformity.
Finally,
the relatively porous border with Central Asia and with new member states of
the European Community make Russia the ideal stepping-stone for Indian transit
migrants moving westwards. Thus, the Russian Federation is emerging as an
important transit territory as well as the final destination of Indian
immigrants.
INDIAN
PRESENCE IN ASTRAKHAN
Archival
records reveal that the Indian presence in Russia dates back to the 17th
century when Astrakhan, a trading-port in the delta of the Volga river by the
Caspian Sea was incorporated into Moscow state. By then, Indian traders had
reached as far as Isfahan in Persia, Kizlyar in the North Caucasus and
Astrakhan in Russia.
The
Archives in Astrakhan, Moscow and St. Petersburg contain significant
information on the activity of Indian merchants and artisans. We learn that the
first Indians from Sindh and Multan arrived in Russian Astrakhan in 1615-1616.
In 1624 a special trading post for Indian merchants was erected in Astrakhan
along with separate posts for Armenian and Persian merchants.
Historical
records show that at one point more than one hundred Indian merchants and their
servants lived in the region. They were dealers in Astrakhan textiles, jewelry
and medicines. In 1645 an Indian merchant dared to go as far as Kazan and
Moscow, trading his goods with great success. As a result, 25 more Indian
traders came to Astrakhan via Persia. In 1650 Indian merchants sold their goods
in Yaroslavl, not far from Moscow. Thereafter the Russian Tsar, Alexei
Mikhaylovich, invited Indian artisans to Moscow to introduce a textile industry
there.
An
English traveler named Forster has described Indians who traveled from India to
Astrakhan to propagate their religion – Buddhism, Hinduism and Zorastrianism.
An Armenian merchant refers to Indians there as cow-worshippers, suggesting
that they were mostly Hindus and not Muslims. The Russian archives too contain
information on certain Indians who had their living quarters and a temple,
along with a trading center, in Astrakhan. There are records of Indians
marrying Soviet Tartar women.
Although
Moscow allowed Indian traders to follow their religious rites, including that
of cremation of dead bodies, and a Hindu temple existed in the city, the number
of professing Hindus diminished and some of them were converted to Islam.
Others, however, retained their Hindu faith. They even poured water from the
Ganges into the Volga, and considered the Volga as their local Ganges since
that ceremony. They freely prayed to their gods and conducted religious rituals
despite hostility from Muslims and Christians who considered them as pagans.
Moscow had given the local administrative head instruction to allow Hindus to
follow their rites of passage.
By
the early 18th century Indian merchants lived not only in Astrakhan, but also
in Moscow. Russian chroniclers reported the presence of Hindu traders in Moscow
in the18th century.
Along
with the expansion of their trade to central Russia and to the capital city of
St. Petersburg many Hindu traders converted to Orthodox Christianity. It was
common for them to acquire Russian Christian names and surnames. In 1740s we
have several records of ‘Russian Indians’ with surnames Ivanov, Feodorov etc.
Later on they were assimilated into the Russian population. It may be surmised
that some Russians from Astrakhan with typical Russian surnames but somewhat
South Asian features may have Indian ancestors. Yet, in the 19th century few of
the locals there could claim Indian heritage.
Indian
diamond trade was known then in Moscow and St. Petersburg. While it is
impossible to speak of a continued Indian presence, Astrakhan Indians are known
to have dispersed to Kazan, Moscow, and St. Petersburg and their descendents
became assimilated, although, it may be assumed that some families of ‘Russian
Indians’ still keep memories of their South Asian ancestors.
The
Soviet era also witnessed the emergence of an Indian Communist community in
Moscow and Leningrad in 1920s-1930s. From the mid-1950s onwards significant
numbers of Indian students began attending educational institutions in Moscow,
Leningrad, Sverdlovsk, Kursk etc. A few managed to remain in Russia after
completing their education. They did not form a diaspora, and the temporary
presence of Indians in major Russian cities was not questioned because of
strict immigration and residence rules.
The
situation however changed with the collapse of the Soviet Union. Although
economic hardships made post-Soviet Russia unattractive for foreign students
who depended on stipends, the wealthy and the adventurous found Russian
conditions suitable, especially since Russian immigration and residence rules
were lax. As a result the new wave of Indians who came were mostly students.
But only the medical students made education their primary aim; the others found
an opportunity to combine their study abroad with a small business, often in
retailing, which they would continue after graduation.
That
was how an increase in Indians -- some of them successful and rich, others
petty traders -- came about in the Russian Federation. Rich Indian businessmen
were involved in tea and garments trade, construction industry, and most
recently have invested in St. Petersburg and Moscow breweries. New projects
involve Indian investment in Russian oil fields, particularly in Sakhalin
Island in the Russian Far East and in steel production.
RISING CONCERNS
Indians
in Russia are a visible minority; their small number make them remain in the
shadow of such minorities as the Azeris (Transcaucasian Shia Muslims) and the
Chechens. They are often mentioned in the media, particularly with reference to
three issues. The first has to do with transit migration. Nearly one thousand
Indians were apprehended last year at the Russian-Ukrainian border. The Indians
who enter Ukraine from Russia are interested in moving further into Europe.
They also enter via the Byelorussia border or Estonia and Latvia. It is
estimated that at least half of those who enter, manage to cross the border
safely. Ukrainian border authorities estimate the total number of such transit
migrants at nearly 10,000 annually.
According
to Russian FSB (Federal Bureau of Investigation), about 40 Indians enter Russia
every week in the hope of sneaking to the West. However, after a decade of
negligence, Russia is taking steps to curb the multimillion business of human
trafficking from India. The Russian FSB has started screening for potential
illegal migrants from India.
Of
recent concern for Indian nationals is the rising level of crime. Illegal immigrants
of Indian origin often fall victims of abuse and violence, they are forced into
drug trafficking and even selling their organs for transplantation by members
of international gangs, among whom are Indians, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis,
Chechens, Russians. In May 2004, a Moscow court sentenced Pakistani traffickers
to long-term prison terms for kidnapping nine Indians.
Another
important concern is the rise of racism in Russia. Although it is Azeris and
Chechens who are the main victims of racists, the media has identified several
instances where Indians were the victims – one was reportedly killed in St
Petersberg. Most recently there was the murder of 23-year-old medical student
Atish Kumar Ramgoolam, an Indian from Mauritius. Among victims of racist attacks
students of South Asian origin from Surinam, Guyana are also mentioned.
The
third area of concern is that relating to the establishment of Indian religious
and cultural institutions, particularly the proposed construction of a Hindu
temple on Hodinskoye Pole in Moscow which has led to heated discussion in
Russian society.
In
conclusion, the current dynamics of the Indian diaspora in Russia suggests that
though their numbers are on the rise the themes that reflect their presence are
not unique. Indeed they mirror the problems of Indians in other countries of
the Indian diaspora. These, according to the Kotin study, are the problems of
racism and cultural alienation from the host society, the problem of illegal
immigration, transit movement of population, education, business and
settlement, religion and culture.
