Meet Abhay Kumar Singh, Putin’s Bihari MLA Who Added an Indian Tadka to Russian Elections

Born and raised in Bihar, Abhay Kumar Singh’s journey from Patna to becoming a lawmaker in Russia is nothing short of extraordinary. In 2015, after completing his medical education in Russia, Singh joined President Vladimir putin’s United Russia Party. Two years later, in 2017, he entered the political arena and became the first individual of Indian descent to win an election in Russia.

Reflecting on his unique political path during an interview with India Today TV, Singh said that Indian-style public outreach, relationship building, and people-to-people connect played a pivotal role in his historic electoral victory. Today, he serves as a Deputat in the Kursk city legislature — a position equivalent to an MLA in India.

Just days ahead of President Vladimir Putin’s tenth state visit to India, Singh also praised the Russian-made S-400 air defence system supplied to India, calling it “a very good missile system.” However, he strongly advocated for India to consider purchasing the advanced S-500 system as well.

“The S-400 is excellent. But the S-500 is Russia’s newest technology. No other country has received it — not even china. If Russia decides to export it, India will be the first nation to get this system,” said Singh, who secured his second electoral win in 2022.

But who exactly is Abhay Kumar Singh — the Patna-born boy who went on to become a lawmaker in Russia and a member of Putin’s ruling party?

How a Patna Medical Student Became a Russian Politician

Abhay Kumar Singh completed his schooling at Loyola High School in Patna before moving to Russia to pursue medical studies at Kursk State Medical University. After earning his degree, he briefly returned to Patna to practice as a registered doctor. However, he soon moved back to Russia to establish his own pharmaceutical business, eventually expanding into real estate and construction.

Despite facing cultural and racial challenges as a non-white foreigner, Singh built a strong reputation within the business community of Kursk. His growing influence in local circles paved the way for his political aspirations.

By 2015, he formally entered politics and by 2018, he had already become a recognized public figure with increasing grassroots support.

How Singh Reached Russia — and Joined Putin’s Party

Singh’s political journey began when he officially joined the United Russia Party in 2015 — the dominant political force headed by President Vladimir Putin. His association with the ruling party rapidly strengthened his position in local politics.

In 2017, he contested elections for the Kursk city assembly and won, creating history as Russia’s first elected representative of Indian origin. His victory was widely discussed in both Russian and Indian media for its rarity and symbolic significance.

He has often spoken about how Indian political culture influenced his campaigning. In his interview, he explained how Indian-style outreach strategies — door-to-door meetings, direct voter contact, and constant public engagement — played an essential role in winning the trust of Russian voters.

“I have always followed politics closely. In Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, even schoolchildren grow up discussing politics. So entering politics felt natural to me,” Singh said, recalling his early interest in public life and how it eventually translated into a political career abroad.