India is one of Russia’s key partners on the international arena. The president of the relatively new – but already promising – Indian Business Council in Russia has told New Eastern Outlook about what can be done to strengthen the economic ties of the two countries.
– Mr. Singh, could you please tell us about your organisation and how it was established?
– The idea of creating the council came from the Indian Embassy in Russia. It started operating at the end of 2021. Our two countries have excellent, very close relations, yet the trade turnover is still limited. It was decided to create a business council in order to clearly focus on the development of business ties. It is an association of enterprises interested in bilateral contacts and market access. They receive advisory and organisational support. We work closely not only with the embassy, but also with the Russian Export Centre. It is very important to strengthen business relations between our two countries. Our task is to bring Russian-Indian economic relations to a new level.
– Are there Indian enterprises in the council?
– Both Indian and Russian. We have brought many Indian companies to Russia. There are not many Russian ones yet, but I invite our Russian brothers to join. The Indian market is huge, there are one and a half billion of us and every year 50-100 million people reach higher standards of living. You can always find a large number of niches for exports and the creation of joint ventures. We need to share experiences and support each other, and cooperation between Indian and Russian enterprises is important. The states are fulfilling their role in building relations and now it’s up to the enterprises to do the rest. In general, it is actually quite curious; usually in business, those who work together get to know each other better and continue going through life together. We have the opposite with modern Russia: first spiritual closeness, then joint business. We can offer each other a lot.
– In your opinion, which vectors of Russian-Indian cooperation are the most promising today?
– The first is military-technical cooperation. The second is exchanging experience in the application of military technologies in civilian industries in peacetime. Then there are industrial ties: Russia has always been strong in metallurgy, composites, space, atomic and quantum technologies, security systems and forestry. Cooperation in the production of workwear, uniforms, robotics, light industry, aviation, engineering, production of building materials and unmanned vehicles presents great interest.
– And in the humanitarian field?
– We really appreciate the valuable experience of Russian masters of sports. Another area is medicine. In India, the doctor is the most respected profession. Every parent dreams of their child becoming a doctor or an engineer. Many Indians come to Russia to receive a medical education. In turn, we would be glad to accept Russian medical students to practice. In addition, we are interested in increasing exchanges between universities – in practice, advanced training and so forth – in various specialties: medicine, economics, pedagogy, engineering, information technology, marketing, ecology – the list goes on and on. Together we can apply all our technologies and knowledge and offer each other a lot.
– How would you describe the prospects of Russian-Indian cooperation in the sphere of tourism?
– Russia has every opportunity to become a very strong brand. You have a massive country, rich culture, many tourist attractions, delicious food. Now there are gradually more Indian tourists in Russia; Indians love to travel very much and this trend should be developed.
– In your opinion, is there enough information about Russia in India today? How easy is it to establish business relations?
– Since the 90s, the Indian state began actively supporting foreign economic relations. Manmohan Singh opened India to the world. Medium-sized businesses occupy the main share in the Indian economy, but the role of the state is also high: it presents an idea, a strategy. Indians have always treated Russia with interest and respect. Perhaps we should organise more business missions and promotional tours for bloggers. This will be successful if the trips are well thought out and seriously prepared for with an understanding of the national mentality. In addition, it is necessary to promote successful examples of interaction so that they are known. Cooperation is not a flight to the moon; it’s much simpler. In addition, it is necessary to increase cultural exchanges. You have wonderful experience in literary exhibitions from Soviet times. I still have beautiful Soviet books for children translated into English at home from my school days. Today, people in India would be interested in the same exhibitions, Russian literature, Russian films in distribution and on TV.
– You have wonderful and proper Russian language skills, let us in on your secret, where did you learn it and how do you know so much about Russia?
– When I came to Russia and started my business here, I simultaneously began to immerse myself in culture, traditions and history. Back then, because of the economic crisis, everything was in a very chaotic state, these were the most difficult times for your country. But I realised that the Russian people are very difficult and respectable. I wanted to communicate with people and, because of this, I learned the language. Business meetings, TV channels, music, store names and even elevator buttons – this was my educational programme. But what else is there to do if you don’t know the language well and don’t understand traditions, folklore, legends? I fell in love with Russian culture and I am very grateful to the Russian people who did not let me feel like a stranger here. Sometimes I think that I was maybe a Russian person in a previous life.
– In which ways are our cultures close in a civilizational way?
– The attitude of Russian people to nature is very familiar to me. Your people love trees, there is a good environmental policy, urban greening, at least in Moscow it is more than noticeable. I also noticed people’s desire for culture, theatre, music, concerts. Spirituality is what unites us.
– You have a very interesting and deep view of Russian-Indian relations. What would you like to wish the readers of our magazine?
– The East adapts everything to what it first found in itself. We all reflect on others the problems that are inside of us. When you delve into yourself, it becomes more and more clear and bright in your head. For anyone who is even a little bit interested in the East, the first stage of the journey to the East is the search for oneself.
– Thank you very much for this interview!
Ksenia Muratshina, PhD in History, Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Southeast Asia, Australia and Oceania of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences
