Siberia and India in the Eurasian Socio-cultural Space: A Meridional Dimension

The article presents an analysis of the contents of the book entitled "Siberia and India: Historical Cultural Affinities" by the famous Indian scientist, expert on Central Asia, Dr. Kulbhushan Warikoo. It was published in English in New Delhi in 2020 by the Vivekananda International Foundation (India). It is noted that the methodological guidelines of the author's research are similar to the viewpoints of the reviewers and many other Russian colleagues. This work indicates the prospects for cooperation between Indian and Siberian scientists in various fields, including improving the quality of research and academic publications. The author writes that there is a clear historical and cultural proximity between India and the peoples of Siberia, in particular, due to common traditions and Buddhist culture. Written in the classical genre of scientific itineraries, the book contains some observations of the Indian scientist made during his travels in the republics of Buryatia (2007), Khakassia (2009), Altai (2014 and 2015) and Tyva (2016) in the Russian Federation. These findings confirm his thesis. The author notes the occurrence of ideas that are characteristic of the Himalayan peoples in the traditional culture of the Siberian ethnic groups. He draws a conclusion that it is necessary to further identify common traditions, beliefs and customs among the peoples of Siberia and India. This can become a fertile basis for scientific cooperation between Siberian and Indian researchers. This idea of scientific cooperation should also contribute to the growth of self-consciousness of the population of Siberia that occupies the middle position in the Eurasian space and is a place of cultural and civilizational interaction of peoples. Attention is drawn to some omissions of Dr. Warikoo, in particular, regarding the issues of ambiguity of the language situation in Tuva.