Moscow: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Wednesday inaugurated two new Indian consulates in Russia, in Yekaterinburg and Kazan, calling their establishment a “catalyst” to strengthen bilateral trade, people-to-people ties, and diplomatic engagement, with a goal of reaching USD 100 billion in trade by 2030.
Expanding India’s diplomatic footprint beyond St. Petersburg and Vladivostok, the new consulates aim to provide consular services to over 10,000 Indian students studying in these regions, out of more than 30,000 Indians in Russia. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko, India’s Ambassador Vinay Kumar, local government officials, and prominent members of the Indian community.
“This is a very important day in the diplomatic history of India in the Russian Federation,” Jaishankar said, reflecting on his earlier diplomatic assignments in Moscow. He noted that the opening of the consulates will enhance India’s presence, boost trade, tourism, scientific and technological collaboration, and promote academic and cultural ties between the two countries.
Highlighting Yekaterinburg’s industrial significance as a gateway to Siberia, Jaishankar said the consulate will facilitate collaboration in heavy engineering, defence manufacturing, metallurgy, nuclear fuel, chemicals, medical equipment, and other sectors. Kazan, which hosted the 2024 BRICS summit attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is known for its oil refining, fertilisers, automotive, defence, pharmaceutical, and electrical equipment industries. The consulate there will also promote cross-cultural exchanges and ITEC (Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation) programmes.
Jaishankar emphasised that the new consulates will strengthen India-Russia ties and mark a new phase in the bilateral relationship. “The Indian diaspora, business community, and students will benefit from the consular services and diplomatic presence in these regions,” he said.
The announcement follows last year’s visit of Prime Minister Modi to Russia, the first since the Ukraine conflict, and the July 2024 agreement between India and Russia to target USD 100 billion in annual trade by 2030. The two nations also signed nine agreements to broaden cooperation across economic and technological sectors.
During his visit, Jaishankar also paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi in Moscow, meeting members of the Indian community, and held bilateral discussions with Russian Deputy PM Denis Manturov and President Vladimir Putin to prepare for the upcoming summit in New Delhi.
With PTI inputs