India-Baltic Cultural Linkages

Although India and Baltic relations have been cordial and friendly, the thirty-three years of diplomatic relations since 1992 could not yield their full potential as both India and Baltics were not part of the foreign-policy priority of each other. The opening of embassies indicates the interest with which India is now looking at these countries. The political will of India and the Baltic region in the last decade demonstrates mutual interest in furthering ties. The focus is on the historical-cultural linkages in energizing relations, the roots of which lie deep. Reflecting upon the last decade of the mutual relationship between India and the Baltic states, the chapter focuses on linguistic and cultural similarities that these countries shared in the distant past and the similarities in culture, language, and customs that India and the Baltics share are critical for strengthening contemporary relations. Revitalizing historical and civilizational ties will make it easier to sustain future cooperation. Navigating through linguistic, cultural, and religious similarities between India and the Baltic countries, it is evident that the Baltics’ geographical continuity and historical-cultural closeness did not reduce the linguistic and cultural distinctions between them. On regaining independence the prime focus of the Baltic countries was reviving historical routes highlighting the distinct historical and socio-cultural aspects that strongly influence the national identity of each of them. For India, understanding this unique historical, socio-cultural, and linguistic background of Balts is important to strengthen its relations and determines the contours of its cultural diplomacy with the three Baltic countries.