The Consul-General of the Russian Federation in Mumbai, Mr Andrei Zhiltsov, and Director of ALROSA's United Selling Organisation, Mr Evgeny Agureev will inaugurate the second edition of the Bharat Diamond Week in Mumbai on Monday. The show, focused on polished diamonds, runs from October 8 to 10, 2018.

"We are delighted that the Consul General and Mr Agureev have graciously agreed to join us for the ceremonial opening of the diamond show," said BDB Vice-President Mehul Shah, who heads the Bharat Diamond Week project. "ALROSA is an extremely important supplier of rough goods to the Indian diamond industry, which is by far the world's largest diamond manufacturing centre."

BDB President Anoop Mehta said: "It is not by chance that the second edition of the Bharat Diamond Week is to be opened by these important gentlemen. India is the largest purchaser of Russian goods which are critical for Indian manufacturers. We have excellent relations with Russia, and especially with ALROSA which recognises the importance of the Indian diamond market."

The three-day event will see120 Indian polished diamonds companies exhibiting a wide range of goods in all shapes, colours and sizes, the organisers said. More than 750 visitors from India and overseas have already registered for the show, and officials said that the number could cross 1,000 before the end of the show.