New Delhi: The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, received H.E. Mr Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation, at Rashtrapati Bhavan today and hosted a banquet in his honour. The visit marks the 25th anniversary of the India-Russia Strategic Partnership, which was established in October 2000 during President Putin’s first visit to India as President.
Welcoming the Russian delegation, President Smt.Murmu appreciated President Putin’s personal commitment to the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. She highlighted that the partnership is guided by a shared commitment to peace, stability, and mutual socio-economic and technological advancement.
The President noted that 2025 has been particularly fruitful for the multifaceted partnership, seeing notable progress in areas including high-level political exchanges, trade and economy, defence, civil nuclear cooperation, space, science and technology, education, culture, and vibrant people-to-people exchanges. She added that the Joint Statement of the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit provides a comprehensive framework for further deepening bilateral ties, reflecting the special nature of the relationship.
President Smt.Murmu also recalled the centuries-old cultural dialogue between the two peoples, citing examples from ancient trade routes to the correspondence between Mahatma Gandhi and Leo Tolstoy, and the mutual admiration for each other’s rich cultural, literary, and artistic heritage. Both leaders expressed confidence that the long-standing friendship between the two countries will continue to prosper.