Indian consul in Erbil hails growing ties with Kurdistan

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - India’s Consul General in Erbil, Brijesh Kumar, on Sunday described relations between the Kurdistan Region and India as “good and positive,” emphasizing that “trajectory of [the] relation is upward.”

Speaking to Rudaw, Kumar said the Kurdistan Region can benefit from India’s wide-ranging experience in democracy, technology, and governance.

“We are the largest democracy, a very successful democracy, and we are doing very good in many, many fields, like in IT, like in science and technology, like in space,” he said.

“In many sectors, like in pharma, we are the biggest term. We are called the pharmacy of the world. So in various sectors, including governance and democratic values, Kurdistan can definitely benefit from that experience.”

Kumar added that Indian companies could find opportunities in “pharma sector, medical sector, construction sector, [and] IT sector,” while encouraging Kurdish investors to explore opportunities in India as well, where “opportunities are innumerable.”

He highlighted cultural similarities between India and Kurdistan, saying, “Kurdish culture, Indian culture, many, many things are similar. So Kurdish people feel very connected to Indian people.”

Indian films are notably popular in Kurdistan and collaborations between the two film industries may increase in the future, the Indian diplomat said.

He further estimated that “nearly 7,000 to 8,000 [Indians] are working here in Kurdistan,” adding that the community regularly celebrates events such as Diwali and Navaratri in the Region.

The following is the full transcript of the interview with Brijesh Kumar:

What is unique about the [Diwali] celebration to you, and what is its significance?

For me, it is a big celebration - but not only for me, it is a big celebration for all Indians. In fact, it has become a global celebration now, because it symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, truth over falsehood, and virtue over evil. It’s a significant event that we celebrate across the globe, making it truly a global celebration.

As you said, this is the victory of light and peace over darkness and evil. Regarding the blessing of Goddess Lakshmi, can you explain how that became a big cultural phenomenon? Other countries also follow Hinduism.

There are many reasons why Diwali is such a major celebration. It is considered the biggest festival in India and is now recognized globally. Diwali spans about five days - it starts two days before the main event and continues for two days afterward, with the central celebration in the middle.

Firstly, Diwali signifies the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after defeating the demon king Ravana. The people of Ayodhya welcomed him by lighting lamps all over the city, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil. So it is the welcome of the Lord Ram after defeating [the] Demon King.

Secondly, Diwali also marks the appearance of Goddess Lakshmi. On the same day, it is believed that she emerged from the ocean [during the event known as the Samudra Manthan] - the churning of the ocean [by gods and demons to obtain the nectar of immortality.] Among the many divine treasures that emerged, Goddess Lakshmi appeared on the same day as Diwali, which is why she is worshipped during this time. People believe she brings wealth, prosperity, and blessings into their homes.

So, Diwali signifies this. So, when people welcomed Lord Rama coming back home, they put lamps in the whole town of Ayodhya. So this is a tradition.

As you noted, this is a religious and spiritual topic mixed with bazaaring, decorating, and coloring. It has become a festival called the Festival of Light. Why have those two things been mixed?

Yes. So, with the passage of time, it has transformed. So, basically, now it has become the Festival of Light. Traditionally, it was - it used to be - the welcoming of Lord Ram, but now, with the passage of time, people change, mindsets change, so it means the Festival of Light. Because light signifies the victory of light. Light means you defeat darkness, you defeat evilness. So, this is the light. Light signifies life. Without light, there is no life. There is no virtue. There is no goodness. So, life signifies the whole thing. The whole goodness, good things about life, is light.

So, this is the significance. So, with the modernistic view of having it as a Festival of Light and the traditional welcome of Lord Ram with putting lamps - these are now the interconnected things.

How does the Indian diaspora in the Kurdistan Region celebrate Diwali?

Yes, they do celebrate Diwali at various places. They come together at certain venues to celebrate, and they even worship Goddess Lakshmi. Of course, they miss their families back in India while they are in Kurdistan. But they do celebrate, and soon we will also be celebrating at our consulate here in Erbil.

Is there any Indian holiday that the people of Kurdistan also participate in?

Yes, yes, they are most welcome to participate. In fact, just a few days ago, we celebrated Navaratri at the Consulate, and a few Kurdish families were also present. In the future, we hope to organize celebrations that invite more members of the Kurdish community. I believe that will happen.

What is the difference between celebrating your holidays in the Kurdistan Region compared to in India?

Yes, there is a bit of a difference because when we are in India, we celebrate on a larger scale, and our families are there. So we can easily meet our relatives and loved ones. Here, we miss that aspect, and the celebrations are not on the same large scale - but the feelings are the same.

Regarding relations between the Kurdistan Region and India, how do you evaluate them?

Yes, the [Kurdistan Regional Government] KRG and India have good and positive relations, and the trajectory of the relationship is upward. Things are moving in a good direction, and both leaders are exchanging letters and views on different occasions. So, we are maintaining good relations with the KRG.

What opportunities can the Kurdistan Region draw from India’s experience across various sectors?

Many, many things. We are the largest democracy - a very successful democracy - and we are doing very well in many fields, like IT, science and technology, and space. In many sectors, such as pharmaceuticals, we are a global leader; we are even called the "pharmacy of the world." So, in various sectors, including governance and democratic values, Kurdistan can definitely benefit from India’s experience.

What is the trade volume between the Kurdistan Region and India?

Actually, it is regrettable that specific trade data between Kurdistan and India is not available. However, trade between India and the whole of Iraq is very good. We import a large amount of oil from Iraq, including from the Kurdistan Region. From what I have observed, the trade relationship between the KRG and India is strong. There are visits from both sides - Indian businessmen coming to the Kurdistan Region and Kurdish businessmen going to India - and the exchanges are growing steadily.

Which sectors in the Kurdistan Region would you encourage Indian companies to invest in?

Yes, like the pharma sector, medical sector, construction sector, and IT sector. There are no problems. Many, many sectors are there.

Is there any sector in India that you would encourage companies from the Kurdistan Region to invest in?

Yes, yes, it depends. The opportunities are innumerable. In many sectors, Kurdistan companies are most welcome to come to India - no problem at all. It depends on the needs of the Kurdish companies. India is a big country, so there are a lot more opportunities available.

How can people from the Kurdistan Region benefit from education in India, especially in the fields of IT and medicine, which are advanced in India?

Yes. This is a very good question, really. First, I would like to say that I have seen the Honorable President of Kurdistan and the leaders of Kurdistan are paying good attention to education and its development in the Region. That is a very good sign.

I have seen that many Kurdish universities are cooperating with Indian universities and signing MOUs - that is the first thing. Secondly, the Indian Consulate in Erbil is providing several scholarships for Kurdish students to go to India and study. Also, the Indian Consulate provides short-term training courses for Kurdish people - including government officials, students, and regular citizens - to go to India for two, three, or four weeks. These courses are offered in various sectors like IT, management, finance, and many more. We take care of all the expenses for these programs.

People from the Kurdistan Region are interested in the Indian film industry. How can the Kurdish film industry benefit from Bollywood to advance and develop itself?

Yes, I feel that Indian movies are very popular in Kurdistan because our cultures are very connected. Kurdish culture, Indian culture - many, many things are similar. So Kurdish people feel very connected to Indian people. The same is with cinema. And Indian cinema, since it started, has covered various themes like the freedom struggle, and various struggles of daily life - to be successful in a field, family matters, and so on. So many, many things that resonate with Kurdish life are very similar to Indian life.

Is there any communication between the Kurdistan Region’s culture ministry and India through you?

Not at that level that you are asking now. But in India, people are free. Institutions are free - they are not under government control. So they are free to do things in their own way. I heard that some Indian veteran movie stars are coming to Kurdistan. There are talks about it, maybe in the future. So, it means India is a free country. People can go, join, and create joint projects together. So, government-to-government interaction is not that required in the film industry.

What is the number of Indian diaspora in the Kurdistan Region?

Not a very true statistic, but we estimate nearly 7,000 to 8,000 are working here in Kurdistan. More or less the same.

Is there a special Diwali prayer that you cast to protect the people you care about from evil? And if it is okay with you, I want you to make a prayer for the preservation of Rudaw and the Roji Hiwa Jamal program.

Sorry, can you repeat the translation?

My question was, is there a special prayer for this holiday that you cast to protect the people you care about? And can you make a prayer for everyone in India?

I would like to say that I would like to pray for you. I would like to pray for you. I would like to pray for you. I would like to pray for you. Thank you. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Brijesh Kumar, Indian Consul General in Erbil.

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