India on Tuesday urged Russia to declassify files related to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.
India conveyed its message during External Affairs Minister (EAM) Sushma Swaraj meeting with her Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov.
"EAM mentioned to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov that the Government of India had decided to declassify the files pertaining to Netaji Subhash Chandra and in this context she sought the Russian cooperation if there were any files in Russia pertaining to Netaji which could be shared with us," EAM spokesperson Vikas Swarup told media here.
"Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov assured EAM Swaraj that Russia will look into India's request for declassification of Netaji's files," he added.
Swarup also said that in India, the Prime Minister has directed that the files pertaining to Netaji have to be declassified by January 23, which is the birth anniversary of the freedom fighter.
The Centre had earlier announced that it would declassify its secret files on Netaji next year.
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"The process of declassification of files relating to Netaji will begin on January 23, Subhas Babu's birth anniversary," Prime Minister Modi said in tweet.
Netaji's family claimed that secret files on Netaji existed in Russia, Japan, China, America, UK, Japan, Singapore and Malaysia and requested the Prime Minister to write to these countries for their declassification.
The home ministry is already working on declassification of files, the PM said, adding that on January 23, the first set of files that are being examined will be declassified.