H.E Alexander Kadakin is the true definition of a diplomat. After leaving his beloved India for Sweden two years ago, he is now focused on Swedish-Russian financial and political relations. Which, of course, is a dynamic and engaging task. Meet Russia’s ambassador to Sweden.
It would be no exaggeration to claim that Alexander Kadakin has been a diplomat his whole life. As an ambitious student under the Indian department at University of international relations in Moscow, Mr Kadakin (Sasha to his friends) was only twenty-two years old when he first was assigned to work in India at the Russian embassy, entering his long diplomatic career at a young age. It was also then he truly developed his never-fading love for and interest in the exotic country he suddenly referred to as his home, and he even became a close friend of the Gandhi family. Now a widely published scholar in Indiology, he illustrates his dual (mental) citizenship by referring to his left side as the Russian and the right as the Indian side of his personality.
After a few years serving as an attaché in India, he was a minister at the Russian embassy in New Delhi for four years, Russia's ambassador to Nepal for another four years, before he was appointed the prestigious assignment as Russia’s ambassador to India for five years. He claims to be the Russian diplomat to have served the longest time in India. No doubt it was then very surprising when his government decided to transfer him to the cold north as a Swedish ambassador. Was it difficult to adjust?
– Not at all, is Mr Kadakin's diplomatic reply. I am an historian, and I have always taken keen interest in relations between Russia and Sweden. The two countries have had periods of very intense and close friendship, and periods of war. It was not difficult to adjust, because on the whole, the Russian people know Sweden very well, Sweden is a very close neighbour. Our tradition and history is interlinked, so it is easy for us to understand each other.
Good bilateral relations
As a result of a demanding diplomatic career, high level academic research and a keen interest in his fellow human beings, Alexander Kadakin speaks many different languages, such as Hindi, Hurdu, French, English, Russian and Romanian. After two hectic years serving in Sweden, Swedish is not yet a language on that list. But as ambassador he feels that he and his staff have done much to nurture and further improve Swedish-Russian relations.
– During the past two years we have done a lot to improve bilateral relations. Russian foreign minister Lavrov came here, and his majesty the king met with president Putin. There was also a tremendously big presentation of Swedish companies in Moscow in May. We had a number of important cultural functions organized by the embassy here in Stockholm. The Swedish king made – together with a delegation – an extensive tour of the Samara region in Russia, which is our high-tech hub. It was very interesting for Swedish industrialists to see it. We build our rockets and satellites there.
According to Kadakin, relations between the two countries have developed visibly. One year ago they launched Sweden Upgrade in Russia to upgrade the knowledge of Sweden. The economic cooperation is advancing fast, with an annual trade turnover of 7 billion USD. Scania and Volvo are constantly expanding their facilities in Russia, and IKEA is the largest foreign investor in the country. Swedish companies have become large investors and employers. But satisfaction does not make for business progress.
– We want to raise the trade turnover to 10 billion USD in 2010. Right now, Finland still beats Sweden by far, with 16 billion USD trade with Russia. I tell my Swedish friends that they should be ashamed!
What is your advice for Swedish entrepreneurs looking to make business in Russia?
– I first tell them to get in touch with our trade council here in Stockholm, who will help provide contacts and meetings with their Russian counterparts. Then I would tell them to get on the train before it's too late!
War history as symbolic events
History is one thing that the ambassador holds very dearly, and he sees important symbolism in Sweden's and Russia’s mutual history.
– There are two important anniversaries coming up in 2009. There were 300 years since the Poltava battle, between Karl XII and Peter the Great – a battle that Russia won. Then there were also 200 years since the last Swedish-Russian war in 1809, when Finland went to Russia. After that, Sweden has never been to war with anyone, so I think it's an important occasion to address, because it is our common history.
The two former rivals have even had a joint military exercise, called Snowflake 2006. It was an historic event that countries that have been at war for centuries now have joint military exercise. Kadakin speaks fondly of such positive relationship-making.
Are there any cultural similarities between Russia and Sweden?
– Oh, so many! First of all, we both belong to the north of Europe. The folk costumes are even the same here as in the north of Russia. Our history is so intertwined, there are hundreds of similarities.
Any oddities with Swedish people?
– I feel very comfortable with the Swedes. There may have been some prejudices in Russia and Sweden towards each other, but in my view we are very much alike. There is a notion that Swedish people are arrogant, cold and high-brow, but in my two years I have not noticed that one single time. Of course they are not Italians or Spaniards or Georgians! But Swedes are very warm-hearted people who will help any man or woman in trouble. They are not indifferent people, so I feel that the notion of arrogant Swedes is wrong. I greet my neighbours, they greet me and they smile. I have made so many new friends here.
– I was told however that Swedes earlier used “the Russian” as a scary example to their children of what will happen if they don't fall asleep. But I refuse to believe it.
I actually think it was common, I have heard my grandmother use that expression.
– Really? Well, I just hope it is not used today!
Alexander Kadakin has a big heart. Let’s hope Sweden can fill a third of it.
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