President Murmu hosts Putin

President Droupadi Murmu on Friday said the spirit of the confluence of the Ganga and Volga rivers will continue to guide the deep India-Russia ties, which have remained unbroken through the years.

In her address at the banquet in the honour of visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin, the President said the bilateral relationship between the two nations was based on a pledge of peace, stability and mutual progress.

“This day holds a special significance for all of us because we are marking the 25th anniversary of India-Russia Strategic Partnership. The foundation of this partnership was laid in October 2000 during the state visit of Putin to India. The partnership was elevated in 2010 to Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership,” Murmu said.

She said 2025 had been very successful for India-Russia ties on various fronts of high-level political dialogue, trade and economy, security, civil nuclear corporation, space, science and technology, education, culture and people-to-people contacts.

“The joint statement at the end of the 23rd annual summit between India and Russia reflects our special ties and presents a detailed roadmap for the future deepening of our bilateral cooperation,” she said.

The President said the dialogue between the two civilisations and cultures was very old.

“Indian traders have travelled to Russia for long, there has been a history of inspiring exchange of letters between Mahatma Gandhi and Leo Tolstoy and the two nations share mutual interest in each other’s cultural, literary and artistic heritage. I sincerely hope that the spirit of confluence of Ganga and Volga rivers will also keep marking our special ties and will continue to guide our collaboration in the future also,” she said, toasting to the friendship between the two nations whose ties have sustained through years.