Roundtable on Russian-Indian cooperation at Presidential Academy
On May 24, 2019, the Presidential Academy hosted a roundtable, Russian-Indian Cooperation: Economics, Politics, Culture, organized by the Russian-Indian Cooperation Club of RANEPA Institute of Public Administration and Civil Service (IPACS).
The meeting was attended by representatives of the two countries’ business and public organizations, the Indian embassy workers, experts and teachers. The participants shared their views on the development of relations between the two countries in various fields.
IPACS Director Igor Bartsits noted the significant potential for the development of Russian-Indian cooperation in the educational and expert consulting spheres. As he said in his remarks, strengthening ties between Russian and Indian universities and research centers, as well as creating a space for dialogue on economic, political and cultural issues are important and ambitious tasks that require a roadmap and consistent effort.
RANEPA Director for Development of International Education and Cooperation Larisa Taradina pointed out three main areas in which the Academy can cooperate with India. First, they can create network universities and programs: RANEPA has experience in creating educational associations with a large number of participants, such as, for example, the Russian-French University. This format facilitates the implementation of interdisciplinary programs, which attract students. Secondly, the parties can organize summer schools at RANEPA regional branches, giving participants the opportunity to visit various Russian regions, to see their diversity, and to study the specifics of business and government at the regional level. Thirdly, they can jointly provide consulting services for Indian business, as well as for Russian entrepreneurs and educational institutions planning to develop contacts with India.
Second Secretary of the Commerce Wing of the Embassy of India in Russia George Thomas noted that India’s economy has been growing faster than the Chinese one lately, which suggests an even greater need to expand economic cooperation with Russia. The potential for the development of trade and economic cooperation between Russia and India is enormous. There are broad opportunities for cooperation not only in mineral resources, but also in innovative solutions that correspond to the new technological era.
Goar Barsegyan, Deputy Director of the Eurasian Economic Commission’s Integration Development Department, spoke about the prospects for India to join the Eurasian Economic Union, underscoring the role of consultations between representatives of the two countries’ business communities in drafting the conditions for India’s accession to the free trade zone. Sammy (Manoj) Kotwani, President of the Indian Business Alliance, noted that Russian businesses operate successfully in India. He positively assessed the prospects for increasing cross-investment between the two countries. President of the Indian Association in Moscow Kashmir Singh emphasized the role of intercultural dialogue in the development of Russian-Indian relations and spoke about the regular festivals of Indian culture held in Moscow, noting that the deep mutual interest in culture and the commitment to preserving the historical legacy of close cooperation can be a reliable foundation for the development of bilateral relations and friendship between Russia and India.
At the end of the roundtable, its participants expressed the hope that RANEPA will further develop Russian-Indian cooperation projects and contribute to expanding the two countries’ interaction in various fields.