Diplomatic Milestone: Indian Ambassador Reveals BRICS Bridge to Skill Development with Russia

India's ambassador to Russia has hailed the role of the BRICS bloc in economic and social development.

BRICS prioritizes economic collaboration among its members, particularly those in the Global South, with the goal of broadening opportunities and fulfilling the socio-economic needs of their citizens, Indian Ambassador Vinay Kumar to the Russian Federation at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) told Sputnik India on Friday.

"BRICS has been formed for economic cooperation among its member states," Kumar said, "That is the prime focus we are going to have. With the inclusion of new member states, we will have more countries within the BRICS framework to cooperate with".

"The fundamental interest of BRICS group, particularly developing nations and the Global South, is meeting the aspirations of their people for socio-economic development," he added, presenting India's viewpoint on the organisation's mission and growth.

Kumar stressed India's focus on enhancing its involvement in Russia’s Far East, highlighting investments not only in the energy sector but also in coal mines, forestry, pharmaceuticals and the establishment of new factories.

He recalled that he had held discussions with the governors of the Sakhalin and several others throughout the Russian Federation regarding India’s interests in the Far East District.

"India already has some presence, particularly in the energy sector, and we want to expand that," Kumar emphasized. "We discussed the acquisition and investment by Indian investors in more coal mines and other energy assets. Additionally, there are Indian companies already investing and setting up plants in forestry and the pharmaceutical sector, including in Sakhalin."

In his discussions with the governors, the ambassador stressed the growing demand for skilled labour in Russia, noting that some entrepreneurs have begun hiring Indian citizens.

He proposed that two partner nations collaborate to synchronize industry needs with academic programmes, helping students to enroll in the state's engineering and higher education institutions that cater to the specific demands of the state's market.

That strategy, according to the diplomat, aims to effectively address Russia's manpower needs. Graduates, already acquainted with the country through their studies, would smoothly transition into employment, nurturing a strong ecosystem and capitalizing on India's demographic advantage.

"We're linking industry needs with academic institutions to bring Indian students to Russian universities. This will create a skilled workforce familiar with Russian culture and language, meeting industry demands," Kumar underscored.

He envisioned the flourishing partnership between two partner countries evolving and expanding across various domains. In recent years, both nations have diversified their trade and industrial collaboration, seeing an influx of Russian investors into India and a surge in Indian companies establishing operations in Russia.

With visionary leadership guiding the way, Kumar anticipated a trajectory marked by increased investments, heightened trade and the realisation of innovative initiatives in the times ahead.

"Defense remains a pillar of India-Russia relations. We see cooperation growing stronger, with more investments and innovative ideas on the horizon" he concluded.

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