Jaishankar inaugurates new consulates in Yekaterinburg and Kazan, boosting diplomatic reach in Russia

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday inaugurated new Consulates General of India in the Russian cities of Yekaterinburg and Kazan, marking a significant expansion of India’s diplomatic presence and underscoring a renewed push to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

At the inauguration ceremony, Jaishankar described the opening of the missions as an “important day” for India-Russia relations, noting that months of steady efforts had gone into making the two posts operational.

“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,” ANI quoted Jaishankar as saying.

With the addition of the Yekaterinburg and Kazan missions, India now operates four Consulates General in Russia, alongside existing posts in Saint Petersburg and Vladivostok. India also maintains two Honorary Consuls General in Astrakhan and Yekaterinburg, in addition to its Embassy in Moscow.

Jaishankar noted Yekaterinburg’s strategic importance within Russia’s industrial landscape, describing the city as the country’s “third capital” and a key gateway to Siberia.

Highlighting its strengths in heavy engineering, gem cutting, defence manufacturing, metallurgy, nuclear fuel, chemicals and medical equipment, he said the new Consulate would play a crucial role in deepening technological, scientific, economic and trade cooperation between the two countries.

“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, defence manufacturing, metallurgy, nuclear fuel, chemicals and medical equipment, the region hosts one of the most prominent international economic forums in Russia, the INNOPROM. The opening of the consulate will give impetus to enable and strengthen the technological, scientific, economic, and trade collaboration between Indian and Russian industries,” Jaishankar was quoted as saying.

On Kazan, the EAM said the city stands among Russia’s most visited destinations after Moscow and Saint Petersburg, recognised for its cultural diversity and its role as a link between Russia and Asia. He also pointed to Kazan’s industrial capacities, including oil production and refining, fertilisers, automobiles, defence manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and electrical equipment.

“Kazan is one of the most visited cities in Russia after Moscow and Saint Petersburg. The region is a multicultural and multiethnic 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,” Jaishankar said.

“Kazan is well known for its oil production and refining, for fertilisers, automobiles, defence 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,” he added.

Jaishankar highlighted the sizeable Indian community in Russia, including more than 30,000 students, noting that about 7,000 fall under the new Kazan Consulate’s jurisdiction and another 3,000 under Yekaterinburg.

In a post on X after the inauguration, he said he was “delighted to inaugurate” the two missions alongside Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko, Ambassador Vinay Kumar and representatives from Sverdlovsk and Tatarstan. He added that the new Consulates would enhance cooperation across sectors.

“Delighted to inaugurate Consulates General of India in Yekaterinburg and Kazan, alongside DFM Andrey Rudenko, Amb Vinay Kumar and representatives from Sverdlovsk and Tatarstan. Confident that the establishment of the new Consulates will boost trade, tourism, economic, scientific, technological, academic and cultural ties between India and Russia,” the post said.

After the inauguration, he interacted with members of the Indian community and “friends of India” in Moscow, calling the engagement a pleasant experience.

“Nice to interact with members of the Indian community and friends of India in Moscow,” the EAM said in another post.

Earlier in the day, he visited the Mahatma Gandhi statue in Moscow to pay his respects, noting that Gandhi’s ideals and teachings “are more relevant than ever.”

With inputs from agencies