'Special gesture' by Russian First Lady

By Vladimir Radyukhin

MOSCOW, JULY 3. In a new sign of special relations with India, Russia's First Lady, Ms. Lyudmila Putin, hosted a lunch for Ms. Neelima Lambah, wife of India's outgoing Ambassador in Moscow.

The lunch was arranged at a presidential dacha outside Moscow, diplomatic sources said. It was a one-to-one occasion and was marked by a warm atmosphere. The lunch was described as a ``very special gesture'' reflecting the genial relations between India and Russia.

Ms. Putin warmly recalled her visit to India with her husband, President Vladimir Putin, in October last year. She was accompanied by Ms. Lambah during the visit and the two ladies struck a good personal relationship.

They met again in December, when Ms. Putin inaugurated a winter charity bazaar in Moscow at the invitation of Ms. Lambah in her capacity as president of Moscow's International Women's Club. It was for the first time that Russia's First Lady paid a visit to the annual charity bazaar.

The Indian Ambassador, Mr. S.K. Lambah, will be leaving Moscow at the end of the month. He will be replaced by Mr. K. Raghunath, former Foreign Secretary.

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Section  : International
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