Kolkata, 31 August (H.S.): India-Russia relations are not confined to diplomatic and strategic cooperation but are rooted in centuries-old cultural exchanges, mutual respect and strong people-to-people ties. The partnership between the two countries will grow stronger in the coming years, Russian Consul General in Kolkata Maxim V. Kozlov said on Monday.

Addressing the inaugural SAMPARK – India-Russia Bilateral Conclave in Kolkata, Kozlov welcomed the decision to host the conference in the eastern part of India and said it was important to expand discussions on bilateral relations beyond traditional centres such as New Delhi and Mumbai.

He expressed hope that SAMPARK would develop into an effective platform for regular dialogue and cooperation between India and Russia.

Recalling the historical links between the two countries, Kozlov referred to the contributions of Russian traveller Afanasy Nikitin, scholar Gerasim Lebedev and painter Vasily Vereshchagin to India-Russia cultural exchanges. He said literature, cinema and the arts had created a unique emotional bond between the people of the two countries, which continues to serve as a strong foundation for bilateral relations.

On economic cooperation, Kozlov said India and Russia had set an ambitious target of taking bilateral trade to USD 100 billion by 2030. He stressed the need to diversify and balance the trade basket while increasing the presence of Indian products in the Russian market.

He also called for greater momentum in negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement between India and the Eurasian Economic Union and the development of effective mechanisms to facilitate bilateral commerce. Increased use of national currencies in bilateral transactions, he said, could further facilitate trade and make financial settlements more efficient.

Highlighting the importance of connectivity, Kozlov pointed to the potential of the International North-South Transport Corridor and the Northern Sea Route. Improved connectivity, he said, could strengthen supply chains, reduce transportation time and costs, and open up new opportunities for trade and investment.

He said emerging sectors such as civil aviation, artificial intelligence, data centres, advanced technologies and critical minerals could become new areas of India-Russia cooperation. At the same time, traditional sectors including shipbuilding, railways, metallurgy and petrochemicals, along with energy infrastructure and gas, offered considerable scope for further collaboration.

Nuclear energy, he said, remained a key pillar of bilateral technological cooperation. Referring to the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project, Kozlov described it as an important example of India-Russia technological partnership and said the two countries could explore cooperation in next-generation nuclear technologies, including advanced reactors and small modular reactors.

Kozlov also highlighted the potential for cooperation in artificial intelligence, digital technologies, quantum computing, advanced materials, robotics, biotechnology and cybersecurity. He said the scientific and engineering capabilities, markets and human resources of the two countries could be combined to develop joint technology parks, research centres and innovation platforms.

Critical minerals, he added, represented another promising area for future cooperation, with opportunities in geological exploration, mining, extraction and processing. Agriculture also offered significant scope for expanded engagement through new projects, improved logistics and greater market access, he said.

Kozlov stressed that the potential of the India-Russia partnership was vast, but the priority now should be to convert these opportunities into tangible outcomes. The longstanding trust and friendship between the two countries, he said, should be translated into deeper economic, technological and commercial cooperation.

Earlier, Union Minister of State for Education and Development of North Eastern Region Sukanta Majumdar had also called for taking India-Russia relations into new areas in response to the changing global environment. He emphasised the need to build on the decades-old trust between the two countries through cooperation in technology, innovation, manufacturing, education, energy, research and business.

Majumdar said governments could create an enabling environment for cooperation, but the real strength of the partnership would come from the participation of people, institutions, businesses, researchers and young innovators. Kozlov similarly stressed the importance of wider public participation and institutional dialogue in taking India-Russia relations to a new level.

The SAMPARK Conclave brought together policymakers, diplomats, academics, business leaders, researchers and young people to deliberate on emerging areas of India-Russia cooperation and the future direction of bilateral relations.

The participants expressed confidence that the centuries-old friendship between India and Russia could be further strengthened by expanding cooperation in technology, trade, innovation and people-to-people exchanges, creating new opportunities for progress and shared prosperity in both countries.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh