BASHKORTOSTAN’S PARTICIPATION IN DEVELOPING INDO-RUSSIAN RELATIONS
This paper summarizes materials that show Bashkortostan’s participation in establishing and developing the relations between Russia and India since the 18th century until the present day. Thus, Bashkirs were involved in the difficult and dangerous mission sent by Peter the Great to Persia and Bukhara in 1718-1725, with one of its goals to establish the relations between Russia and India. The paper gives data on the trips made by Ismagil Bikmukhamet uly, a merchant from the village of Kargaly near Orenburg, together with his companions and by Gubaidullah Amirov from the village of Sterlibashevo, Ufa Province, to this wonderful land and also describes a visit of Mohammad Barakatullah, a prominent figure in the Indian national liberation movement, to Bashkortostan. It is noted that the relations between the Republic of Bashkortostan and the Republic of India are implemented in accordance with the cooperation agreements between the Russian Federation and the Republic of India and that specialists from Bashkortostan took part in prospecting, discovering and exploring new oil and gas fields and in building petroleum refineries in India. Evidence presented here reflects the volume of mutual trade between Bashkortostan and India and their relations in the field of science and culture. Consideration is given to multiple activities pursued by the “Bashkortostan - India” Public Organization as one of the best activists who strengthen the ties between Bashkortostan and India.