India deport Russian Orthodox Father Superior on diplomatic mission

Russian officials have said that they will make an official complaint to the Indian authorities after a senior Russian Orthodox priest was detained at Chennai international airport and is being deported.

Orthodox Father Superior Hegumen Serafim was kept at the airport and refused food and water and consular access for seven hours by Indian border guards.

"It is a violation of the current Russia-Indian consular agreements and we will raise this issue with the Indian authorities," a Russian diplomat told the Russian TASS news agency after a member of consular staff was refused access to Father Serafim.

Father Serafim is the superior of an Orthodox church officially registered in New Delhi who was on a visit to serve Mass for Russian consular staff in the region. He arrived in Chennai from Pakistan and filled in a document for an electronic visa online because a public holiday in Russia prevented him going through official channels.

Indian authorities would not let him into the country because he was only able to apply for a tourist visa on India’s online system, and they maintain he needed a “visitor visa.

“He had previously visited India on a proper visa, but this time, could not get one because of holidays in the Russian Federation. But he had an invitation from Russian Ambassador to India Alexander Kadakin. Still, he was not allowed to enter the country,” the Russian diplomat added. “He is not here for preaching or evangelical work.”

India’s pro-Hindu government has been criticised in the past for a perceived crackdown on Christian religions in the country through the abuse of anti-evangelisation laws.

Historically, Russia and India had strong diplomatic ties - with Russia being the sub-continent’s main supplier of military equipment for half a century.

But Russia’s view of India cooled somewhat since US President George Bush targeted India as a strategic ally from 2005. India has also become less enamoured of its old friend as Russia continues to develop relationships with old foes Pakistan and China.