Russia, India working together to establish fairer world order: Putin at Rashtrapati Bhavan banquet

“This partnership is developing based on the principles of equality, respect and mutual consideration of our interests. It is getting substantiated even more. Our talks with our Indian friends yesterday and today were genuinely open and constructive,” Putin said, in his final address before the conclusion of the two-day visit. “Russia and India are working together to establish a fairer and just world order.”

Welcoming President Putin and his delegation to Rashtrapati Bhavan, President Droupadi Murmu said that his visit marks an important milestone: the 25th anniversary of the India-Russia Strategic Partnership, which was established in October 2000 during his first visit to India as President.

Noting that the partnership is guided by “a shared commitment to peace, stability, and mutual socio-economic and technological advancement”, Murmu said the Joint Statement of the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit reflects the special nature of ties.

The President also recalled the centuries old cultural dialogue between our people, from ancient trade routes, to the inspiring correspondence through letters between Mahatma Gandhi and Leo Tolstoy, and the mutual admiration for each other’s cultural, literary and artistic heritage.

At the banquet, attended by a host of Union Ministers including S Jaishankar, Nirmala Sitharaman, Sarbananda Sonowal and Piyush Goyal, besides Speaker Om Birla, the menu comprised Indian cuisine served as a thali, including sheermal and a morel dish from Kashmir, and helpings of gur sandesh from West Bengal and the popular South Indian snack of murukku.

The evening also featured a showcase by the Rashtrapati Bhavan Naval Band.