Remarks by EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar at the inauguration of Consulates General of India in Kazan and Yekaterinburg

Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko, Ambassador Vinay Kumar,
Representatives from the Governor’s office in Kazan and Yekaterinburg,
Officials of the Russian Government,
Distinguished members of the Indian community, colleagues from the Embassy,
Good Morning, Namaste, Dobroe Utro.

2. I am glad to be amongst you today and very much appreciate all of you attending this event. This is an important day for us when we are adding two more Consulates General in this country.

3. I want to say that over the last months, consistent work has been underway to establish these Consulates as you heard from the Ambassador at the earliest possible time. So let me begin by recognizing the support that we received from the Russian Government – so Mr Rudenko, really very special thank you, and also from the regional Governments of the Republic of Tatarstan and Sverdlovsk Region in this regard.

4. Yekaterinburg is often called the third capital of Russia due to its industrial importance and is the gateway to Siberia. Known for its heavy engineering, gem-cutting, defense manufacturing, metallurgy, nuclear fuel, chemicals and medical equipment, the region hosts one of the most prominent international economic forums in Russia like INNOPROM. The opening of the Consulate will give impetus to enable and to strengthen the technological, scientific, economic and trade collaboration between Indian and Russian industries.

5. Kazan is one of the most visited cities in Russia – I have had the pleasure of going there myself - after Moscow and St Petersburg and with good reason. The region is a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic hub and acts as a bridge between Russia and the rest of Asia. The Consulate will help strengthen people-to-people ties by encouraging cross-cultural exchanges and ITEC participation. Kazan is well known for its oil production & refining, for fertilizers, automobiles, defense manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and electrical equipment. 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.

6. Friends, there is a sizable and diverse Indian diaspora in Russia which includes more than 30,000 Indian students today. Out of these, approximately 7000 reside in the jurisdictions of the Consulates General of India in Kazan and 3000 in the jurisdiction of Yekaterinburg, and I am confident that, the Indian diaspora, the business community and especially but most of all our young students, they will benefit from the consular services and the diplomatic presence of India in these two regions.

7. So let me say this, I am very sure that the opening of these consulates will not only enhance our diplomatic presence in Russia but will act as a catalyst to further boost trade, to increase tourism, economic, scientific, technology, even academic and cultural ties between our two countries. The Consulates will contribute to our joint efforts in increasing our bilateral trade to USD 100 billion by 2030, as envisaged by the leaders.

8. So allow me to conclude by thanking you all for joining us today. This is a very important day in the diplomatic history of India in the Russian federation, and I am really very pleased as someone who started here in this Embassy to be associated with the expansion of our diplomatic footprint.

Thank you very much.

Moscow
November 19, 2025