Back
National
Manmohan opens ‘Year of Russia in India’
CELEBRATIONS: Russian dancers applaud as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, along with his Russian counterpart Viktor Zubkov, arrives at the inauguration of the “Year of Russia in India” festival in New Delhi on Tuesday.
NEW DELHI: With a scintillating show of dance, music and lights against the backdrop of the picturesque Purana Qila here, Indian and Russia strengthened their existing bilateral ties by declaring open the “Year of Russia in India” on Tuesday. The gala concert was inaugurated jointly by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Russian counterpart Victor Zubkov.
In his address, Dr. Singh said India and Russia were firmly bound together by civilisational linkages and relations between the two countries were time tested and based on solid foundations.
“It was during President Vladimir Putin’s visit in January 2007 that we took the decision to have 2008 as the year of Russia in India and 2009 as the year of India in Russia. Such festivals were last held in our countries about two decades ago. It is heartening that our two great pluralistic democracies are actively undertaking joint efforts towards further enhancing our people to people contact, which has been an important asset for our time-tested friendship.”
Dr. Singh said such intensive engagements were reflective of not only deep mutual trust and goodwill, but also symbolised the depth and dynamism acquired by multi-dimensional cooperation, which today stands transformed into strategic partnership.
The Prime Minister recalled the influence of Leo Tolstoy on Mahatama Gandhi and expressed the hope that the “Year of Russia in India” will provide additional impetus to cultural activities, science, bilateral ties, technology and economy.
Mr. Zubkov who read out President Putin’s message hoped that such events would take the friendship between India and Russia to the next level. He said relations between India and Russia were not based on short term expectations and political conditions and holding the year of Russia in India and India in Russia would open new horizons for bilateral cooperation.
Quoting Mr. Putin, he said: “Friendly ties between Russia and India that are developing rapidly in all different areas in a spirit of strategic partnership have always been based on respect for each other’s national traditions and unique culture.”
He said “Year of Russia in India” would be marked by meetings, exhibitions, cultural festivals, and seminars.
At the gala show, the dignitaries were treated to a spectacular show of ballet, youth circus, fashion theatre and orchestra.
© Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu