Alexander Kadakin, Russian envoy and ‘friend of India’, dies of heart failure

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Jan 26, 2017: Alexander Kadakin, Russian ambassador to India, died of cardiac arrest at a New Delhi hospital on Thursday. He was 68.

A press release from the Russian embassy stated that Kadkin, who has been heading the Russian diplomatic mission in New Delhi since November 2009, passed away after a brief illness. His demise was condoled by senior central government leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and ministry of external affairs spokesperson Vikas Swarup.

Kadakin has enjoyed a long association with India, completing as many as five stints – including his first foreign posting in 1971 and two terms as envoy (1999 to 2004 and 2009 to 2017) – in the country. Fluent in Hindi, he was among Russian officials who worked behind the scenes to provide the Indian government acquire much-needed ammunition and satellite imagery during the 1999 Kargil war.

“Starting from 1971, the entire diplomatic career of Alexander Kadakin was closely associated with promoting Russian-Indian relations,” the release said.

According to experts, ambassador Kadakin was opposed to the Russian foreign ministry improving ties with Pakistan at the cost of India. His death is expected to strengthen the pro-Pakistan lobby – spearheaded by Zamir Zabulov – in the Russian government.