Expert's view on Russia-India ties: Prema CEO highlights role of tourism in bilateral relations

I still see the cooperation as perspective. It, indeed, has been promising a long time, but it seems that none of the parties is ready for closer rapprochement. The governments of both countries have only been encouraging their citizen in words, and on the hand, the citizens undecidedly shift from one foot to the other as school children at a graduation ball.  

What, in your opinion, should governments and business leaders in both countries do to boost the level of economic interactions?

There should be more trust. For instance, I know from my practice that the Russian government is rather strict in allowing Indians into Russia. The same is also true of the Indian government, which, while declaring 2008 the Year of Russia in India, seriously toughened its visa regime against Russians.  

Your tour company actively works with India. How can your company help improve to relations between countries?

The tourism potential of both countries is developing intensively, despite of the toughening of visa requirements. We started sending Russian tourists to India 12 years ago. Basically, these were pilgrims and small-scale entrepreneurs. Then, it was a real problem for to fight against the stereotypes among Russians that India was a country of illnesses and poverty. Luckily, such ‘stupid mindsets’ are now things of the past, as today’s Russian tourists go to India with pleasure, and after returning, readily plan new trips. Today’s India-bound traffic flow now include Russian businessmen and women, politicians and state employees, who having gone to the country once, have now fully understood that it is an excellent place for cooperation, both in terms of business and cultural exchange programs.