Moscow [Russia], November 19 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Wednesday inaugurated the Consulates General of India in Yekaterinburg and Kazan, marking a major expansion of India’s diplomatic presence in Russia and ushering in what he called a “new phase” in bilateral cooperation across economic, technological, scientific, and cultural domains.
Speaking at the ceremony, Jaishankar said months of sustained work had gone into establishing the two missions. “This is an important day for us when we are adding two more Consulate Generals in this country. I want to say that over the last few months, consistent work has been underway to establish these Consulates,” he noted.
With the addition of Yekaterinburg and Kazan, India now operates four Consulates General in Russia, along with existing missions in Saint Petersburg and Vladivostok. India also has two Honorary Consuls General in Astrakhan and Ekaterinburg, in addition to its Embassy in Moscow.
Jaishankar highlighted Yekaterinburg’s strategic role in Russia’s industrial ecosystem, describing it as the country’s “third capital” and gateway to Siberia. He emphasized the region’s strengths in heavy engineering, gem cutting, defence manufacturing, metallurgy, nuclear fuel, chemicals, and medical equipment, noting that it also hosts the prominent INNOPROM international economic forum. He said the new Consulate would enhance technological, scientific, economic, and trade cooperation between Indian and Russian industries.
Turning to Kazan, the EAM described the city as one of Russia’s most visited, praised for its cultural diversity and role as a bridge between Russia and Asia. He pointed to its industrial capabilities in oil production and refining, fertilizers, automobiles, defence manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and electrical equipment. Jaishankar said the Consulate would further strengthen people-to-people ties, particularly through cultural exchanges.
Expressing confidence in the impact of the two new missions, he said, “I am confident that with the opening of the two new consulates, there will be a further strengthening of India-Russia ties, and this will surely mark a new phase in our relationship.”
Jaishankar also drew attention to the sizeable Indian community in Russia, noting that over 30,000 Indian students currently study there. He said approximately 7,000 students fall under the jurisdiction of the new Consulate in Kazan and another 3,000 under the Consulate in Yekaterinburg.
Following the inauguration, Jaishankar said he was “delighted to inaugurate” the new Consulates alongside Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko, Ambassador Vinay Kumar, and representatives from Sverdlovsk and Tatarstan. He said the new missions would boost trade, tourism, and economic, scientific, technological, academic, and cultural ties between the two countries.
After the ceremony, he met members of the Indian community and “friends of India” in Moscow, calling the interaction a pleasant experience. Earlier in the day, he visited the Mahatma Gandhi statue in Moscow to pay his respects, saying Gandhi’s ideals and teachings “are more relevant than ever.”
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