Putin and Modi Hold Bilateral Talks in New Delhi During BRICS Visit

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in India for a comprehensive three-day diplomatic visit primarily centered around attending the high-profile BRICS summit. As part of this significant international engagement, the Russian leader participated in a dedicated bilateral meeting alongside Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the capital city of New Delhi on Friday, 11 September.

During their discussions in New Delhi, the two leaders engaged in broad-ranging talks covering several critical areas of bilateral cooperation. According to official information released by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, the discussions specifically encompassed strategic sectors including international trade, energy security, defense collaboration, space exploration initiatives, and deepening people-to-people connections between the two nations.

Highlighting the cultural dimensions of the diplomatic engagement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented a special gift to President Vladimir Putin. The Indian Prime Minister gifted the Russian leader a newly published Russian translation of the ancient Tamil scripture known as 'Thirukkural', which was originally authored thousands of years ago by the revered philosopher and poet Thiruvalluvar.

Expanding on the significance of this literary presentation, Prime Minister Modi noted that the ancient text was written two millennia ago and encapsulates the entire spectrum of human life. Emphasizing the cultural bridge created by the publication, the Indian leader stated that the Russian-language translation of the Thirukkural will significantly enhance mutual communication between the citizens of both countries, ultimately playing a major role in strengthening bilateral ties.

Reflecting further on the gesture, Prime Minister Modi shared via public remarks that he presented President Putin with the Russian translation to help disseminate the eternal wisdom of the great Thiruvalluvar. He underscored that this literary translation serves as a vital cultural conduit capable of transcending both linguistic barriers and geographical boundaries.

Following the conclusion of their formal bilateral meeting and cultural exchanges, the diplomatic schedule continued with a joint transit arrangement. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin traveled together inside the Russian leader's presidential limousine to visit the prominent Innoprom exhibition, which was hosted at the modern Bharat Mandapam venue.