Russian ambassador to India Alexander Kadakin dies

Alexander Kadakin, Russian ambassador to India, passed away on 26 January 2017 following a brief illness. He was 67.

Kadakin was one of the longest serving envoys as he had spent a significant part of his life working to promote Russia's ties with India.

About Alexander Kadakin
• He held the position of Russian ambassador to India in New Delhi from November 2009, this was his second stint as ambassador to India.
• He was also in India as Deputy Chief of Mission when the Soviet Union broke up in 1991 and at that time he became the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to India in 1999, an assignment he held for 12 years over two postings.
• He began his diplomatic career in 1971 as a Third Secretary at the Russian Embassy in India and since then, he had been closely associated with promoting Russian-Indian relations.
• He first came to India just ahead of the signing of the Indo-Soviet Friendship and Cooperation Treaty.
• Kadakin also stood out among the diplomatic community for his fondness for Indian culture and language.
• Apart from his diplomatic career, he also authored and translated several books from English and Hindi.
• He published over 50 articles in scientific journals and press in Russia and India.