Russia wants more of its students to learn Hindi, showing how Moscow and New Delhi are bringing their cultures closer at a time of global tensions. The push comes when the United States has doubled tariffs on India for buying Russian oil. While Washington tries to pressure India, Moscow is opening new doors for Indian culture in Russia.
Russian Minister Backs Hindi in Education
Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, Konstantin Mogilevsky, has called for Hindi to be taught widely in Russian universities. He said, “India is the world’s most populous country today, and more Indians are choosing to express themselves in Hindi in their daily lives than in English. We want more of our students to study Hindi.”
Mogilevsky explained that interest among Russian youth is growing fast. He noted that students now have more chances to learn Hindi compared to earlier years.
More Universities Offer Hindi Courses
The Deputy Minister listed several Moscow universities where Hindi is already taught. These include MGIMO, RSUH, the Institute of Asian and African Studies at Moscow State University, and the Moscow State Linguistic University.
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He pointed out that “the number of students enrolled in Hindi is increasing, and the number of groups is two to three times larger.”
Beyond Moscow, Hindi learning is also spreading to St. Petersburg State University and Kazan Federal University. This shows how the language is gaining popularity across Russia.
Cultural Push Amid Trade Tensions
The timing of this cultural move is important. The Trump administration recently doubled tariffs on Indian goods to 50 per cent. Washington said this was a punishment for India buying Russian crude oil and funding Moscow’s war in Ukraine.
Since 2022, India has become one of the biggest buyers of Russian oil. Despite Western pressure, New Delhi has continued to keep its energy and defence ties strong with Moscow.
India & Russia Show Unity
At a summit hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping in Tianjin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was seen holding hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The gesture sent a clear message about the closeness of the two countries.
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External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also stressed in August that ties with Russia are among India’s strongest. He said, “We believe that relations between India and Russia have been among the steadiest of the major relationships in the world after the Second World War.”
Putin’s Visit to India in December
The Kremlin has confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit India in December. The visit is expected to boost cooperation in trade, energy, and defense.
With language and education now joining oil and defense as bridges between the two countries, Russia’s push for Hindi shows that cultural diplomacy is becoming as important as strategic ties.
