India-Russia Relation -- A Different Outlook

Agriculture and Revenue Minister of Maharashtra talking about Indo-Russian relationship, it might seem somewhat strange, but before expressing my opinions on the actual topic, let me explain which driving factors pushed me to write on this topic. Just a few days back, I received one news about the honour of our Honourable Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi Ji by UAE with Zayed medal and now I am glad to share the news about the honour of our beloved Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi Ji by Russia. Yes, Russia recently awarded our Prime Minister with its highest state honour ‘Order of St. Andrew the Apostle’ for promoting the bilateral, special, and privileged strategic partnership. 

It gives us immense pleasure that our Prime Minister Honourable Mr Narendra Modi Ji is recognised and awarded with international awards and it also gives the satisfaction that our country is in safe hands and controlled and lead by a talented and deserving person. 

India-Russia relation is based on the major pillars such as mutual trust, continuity, and confidence and this bilateral relationship are recognised and turned as a strategic partnership in the last few years. India has strong ties with the Soviet Union as it was India's biggest defence and trade partner during the cold war. Unfortunately, trade between India and Russia is facing many issues such as distance, connectivity problems, weak banking links, and Russia visa regime.After globalisation, US, Europe, and Asia Pacific countries contributed more in foreign direct investment, services as compared to Russia. Hopefully, the situation will change in the near future. 

For greater ties between the two countries, Indian policymakers are also working on the visibility of Chennai- Vladivostok sea route to access Russia's Far East. Trading policymakers between the two countries also need to work on the balance between the trading policies of Russia and India. It can emphasize on the core competencies of Russia, including nuclear, defence and energy sectors and Indian strengths such as pharmaceuticals, health and IT. 

This is all about international trade and ties between two countries and our government is handling all these matters tactically and more productively. Being Revenue and Agriculture Minister of Maharashtra state, I would like to explore different initiatives of Maharashtra state towards this relationship build-up and expansion. It was observed that, though political and other ties between the two countries are good, cultural and economic sectors were ignored by both countries. Maharashtra Government and Russian state governments of central Russia are trying to enhance the relationship between two countries at different levels and consequently, it can promote investments, business, trade,tourism, education in a collaborative manner between India and Russia. 

In 2017, the programme was implemented-- ‘Visit Maharashtra’ and under this programme, worldwide businesses and countries were promoted to contribute for FDI in Maharashtra. To initiate a cultural exchange between the two countries Mumbai and Saint Petersburg cities were focused more by organising different cultural programs. The event of the Russian film festival and the ties between the entertainment fields were also part of the Visit Maharashtra programme. 

These initiatives to exchange cultural activities, the literature between two countries can be extended more by promoting student exchange programs, educational tours, and tourism between the two countries. I have seen Maharashtra students who have opted for their Medical education in Russia. The Shivaji University of Kolhapur also organised one conference and it was attended by Russian delegates.

These types of unions, exchanges will strengthen the relationship between Russia and India on cultural and other aspects. The ties between the two countries are beneficial for both of them because the other superpowers have a different set of principles. In the world economy, the US is progressive towards de-globalisation whereas China is characterized with own definitions of globalisation. In this situation, the increased bonding between India and Russia for trade and other exchange purposes makes a big sense. I convey my best wishes to the Prime Minister Honorable Mr Narendra Modi Ji for his honour by Russia and hope that he will get success in strengthening the relationship between the two countries more and more in the future. 

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