Politics1 min read

India-Russia ties centuries old: Russian Diplomat

By · Published by Everything Blog

In short

Russian Embassy Spokesperson Petr Sizov noted that bilateral relations extend beyond formal diplomacy, citing historical touchstones like the correspondence between Mahatma Gandhi and Leo Tolstoy alongside exchanges in ballet and cinema. Moscow is organizing a slate of musical and artistic events leading up to the 80th anniversary of formal diplomatic ties. To build direct public connections, officials are actively collaborating with schools in Delhi and presenting live performances. The gathering at the India Habitat Centre also showcased sacred choral music and traditional folk songs performed by Russian choirs.

Key points

  • Moscow views centuries of cultural and intellectual exchanges as the foundation shielding…: Moscow views centuries of cultural and intellectual exchanges as the foundation shielding its alliance with New Delhi from external pressure.
  • Cultural diplomacy through live artistic events serves as a primary vehicle for engaging…: Cultural diplomacy through live artistic events serves as a primary vehicle for engaging younger Indian audiences directly.
  • Bilateral initiatives are increasingly focusing on people-to-people connections in local…: Bilateral initiatives are increasingly focusing on people-to-people connections in local schools to supplement formal government-level diplomacy.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

New Delhi: India-Russia ties cannot be changed by somebody else and have withstood the test of time despite an evolving global geopolitical environment, a Russian diplomat has asserted.

Russian Embassy Spokesperson Petr Sizov made these remarks during a Russian cultural event at the India Habitat Centre here on Monday evening.

"We are friends, and our friendship can't be, you know, changed by somebody else," Sizov said while speaking to PTI.

He said relations between the two countries were rooted not merely in decades of diplomatic engagement but in centuries of people-to-people contacts.

Read more: India, Russia aim for $100 billion trade by 2030 as Modi, Putin push cooperation

Referring to the correspondence between Mahatma Gandhi and Russian writer Leo Tolstoy, Sizov said Gandhi regarded Tolstoy as a teacher and the two exchanged letters despite never meeting in person, citing it as an example of historical people-to-people links between the two countries.

Sizov also highlighted the longstanding popularity of Indian cinema in Russia and Russian ballet in India, saying cultural exchanges have remained an important part of bilateral relations.

He said…

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