Haji Syed Salman Chishty Strengthens India-Russia Ties in Moscow Through Spiritual Diplomacy and Trade Talks

17 April 2026 | Moscow, Russia: Haji Syed Salman Chishty, Gaddi Nashin of Dargah Ajmer Sharif and Chairman of the Chishty Foundation, advanced India-Russia relations during high-level meetings in Moscow. His engagements highlighted public diplomacy, bilateral trade, spiritual bonds, interfaith dialogue, and BRICS cooperation.

Meeting with Indian Ambassador Vinay Kumar

Haji Syed Salman Chishty met H.E. Vinay Kumar, India’s Ambassador to Russia, along with Deputy Chief of Mission Nikhilesh Giri and senior embassy officials. His delegation included Suhail Vakil, Director of Al Vakil Manpower Company, and Ilyas, representative of Deputy Grand Mufti Sheikh Damir Hazrat, who serves under Chairman Mufti Sheikh Ravil Gaynutdinov of the Russian Muftis Council and Religious Board of Muslims of the Russian Federation.

Talks covered people-to-people ties via public diplomacy, bilateral trade and manpower opportunities, shared civilizational-spiritual bonds, sustained interfaith dialogue, and joint BRICS efforts for global peace and development.

Dialogue at Moscow’s Grand Cathedral Mosque

Chishty visited Moscow’s Grand Cathedral Mosque—one of Europe’s largest— for a key dialogue with Hazrat Damir Mukhetdinov, First Deputy Chairman of the Religious Board of Muslims of the Russian Federation and principal of the Moscow Islamic Institute.

The exchange focused on strengthening intellectual-spiritual links between Indian and Russian Muslim communities, shared business-cultural initiatives based on Islamic values, youth and educational programs, and global peace efforts embodying love, tolerance, and humanity—the core of the Chishty tradition.

The meeting ended with joint prayers for world peace, unity, and harmony. Both leaders pledged to forge lasting bridges across nations, faiths, and communities.

“The bonds between India and Russia are ancient and sacred. When spiritual wisdom walks hand in hand with diplomatic vision and honest trade, we build not merely partnerships between nations—we build peace between peoples. This is the noble way.”
— Haji Syed Salman Chishty, Gaddi Nashin, Dargah Ajmer Sharif