Indo- Russia Relations

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 Brasília 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 13^th 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.