IYESF Engages in Russia-India Youth Forum at Russian House, New Delhi to Foster Youth Collaboration

On June 17th and 18th, the Russian House in New Delhi hosted the inaugural Russia-India Youth Forum. The two-day event brought together more than 300 youth delegates from both countries. Organized by the Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Republic of India and Rossotrudnichestvo (Russian House in India), with support from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports of the Republic of India, the forum marked a significant step in fostering youth collaboration between the two nations.

The forum was dedicated to three important milestones: the 100th anniversary of Rossotrudnichestvo, Russia Day, and Youth Day. It served as a dynamic platform for exchanging ideas and perspectives between Russian and Indian youth, as well as expert communities from both countries.

The International Youth Edu-Skills Foundation (IYESF) actively participated in the forum over both days. Representing the foundation were Akil Mohammad, Founder and Chairperson, who was invited as a panelist for the plenary session; Rahul Sharma, Director of International and Regional Projects; Asfia Kulsoom, Project Associate; Jignesh Jain, Honorary Advisor; and honorary members Prachi Gupta and Shalini Singh.

Day 1

The first day began with a welcome video message from Mr. Evgeny Primakov, Head of Rossotrudnichestvo, followed by opening remarks from Dr. Elena Remizova, Head of the Rossotrudnichestvo Representative Office in India. Attendees were introduced to Rossotrudnichestvo’s core areas of work, including educational and cultural initiatives, and were informed about opportunities to study Russian at the Russian House in New Delhi.

The forum featured presentations by representatives of India’s National Preparatory Committee for the upcoming World Youth Festival. They outlined their programs and responded to participants' questions. Additionally, Liana Saakyants, an expert from the Gorchakov Fund, gave a detailed overview of internship opportunities available to foreign professionals in Russia across a variety of fields. The day concluded with a screening of the documentary film "Russia. Kremlin. Putin. 25 Years," providing historical and political insights into modern Russia.

Day 2

The second day of the forum opened with a welcome address from Dr. Elena Remizova. The session was graced by esteemed guests of honor, including Mr. Denis Alipov, Ambassador Extraordinary of the Russian Federation to India; Mr. Nitesh Kumar Mishra, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports of the Republic of India; and Mr. Tejasvi Surya, Member of Parliament from Bangalore South and President of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha.

The forum's first plenary session, titled "Youth Development as a Key Tool of Russian-Indian Cooperation," followed the opening addresses. Akil Mohammad, Founder and Chairperson of the International Youth Edu-Skills Foundation, was among the key panellists. He was joined by Mr. Evgeny Griva, Deputy Trade Commissioner of the Russian Federation in India; Akshat Sinha, Head of the Дружба दोस्ती Youth Club at the Russian House; and Bhupender Yadav, Founder of the Tears of the Earth Organization.

The subsequent plenary session, "Youth in a Multipolar World," prompted active discussions on the current challenges and opportunities in international youth collaboration. Participants exchanged viewpoints on global cooperation and explored innovative approaches to enhancing bilateral relations and cultural understanding between Russia and India.

The forum concluded with three parallel workshops held across different sections of the Russian House. The first workshop focused on environmental awareness, conducted by representatives from the Tears of the Earth organization. The second was an interactive session with alumni of the InteRussia Internship Program, facilitated by experts from the Gorchakov Fund. The third and final session featured a teleconference connecting members of the International Friendship Club in St. Petersburg with participants from the Dosti Youth Club in India, symbolizing the spirit of friendship and cross-cultural dialogue that defined the forum.

The Russia-India Youth Forum concluded on a high note, leaving participants inspired and empowered to take forward the spirit of collaboration and cultural exchange. Over two enriching days, the forum fostered meaningful dialogue, strengthened bilateral ties, and laid the groundwork for future joint initiatives between the youth of both nations.