Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented Russian President Vladimir Putin with a Russian translation of the Thirukkural at Bharat Mandapam on Friday.
The classic Tamil text, authored by poet and philosopher Thiruvalluvar, contains 1,330 seven-word couplets known as Kurals. It explores virtue, wealth and love while earning global recognition for its universal and secular character. Naira Mkrtchyan translated the work into Russian.
The literary masterpiece has influenced foreign scholars, including renowned Russian writer Leo Tolstoy.
PM Modi shared the significance of the gift on X, saying, “Presented President Putin with a Russian translation of the Thirukkural, which carries the eternal wisdom of the great Thiruvalluvar across languages and borders.”
Presented President Putin with a Russian translation of the Thirukkural, which carries the eternal wisdom of the great Thiruvalluvar across languages and borders. pic.twitter.com/rvk3rRDnvg
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 11, 2026
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov and other officials attended the meeting.
Putin and Prime Minister Modi exchanged warm greetings, reflecting the friendship that has strengthened considerably over the past 12 years.
Putin arrived in New Delhi earlier Friday for the 18th BRICS Summit, scheduled for September 12-13. Union Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh received him at the airport.
The leaders reviewed political, economic, defence, energy, space, mobility and people-to-people cooperation. They focused on achieving the USD 100 billion bilateral trade target by 2030, while expanding railways, tunnelling, steel value chains, business-to-business opportunities and Russian market access.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov described PM Modi-Putin engagements as ‘pragmatic’, ‘open and constructive’, and said they could create additional avenues for cooperation.
Putin’s visit follows their August 31 SCO meeting in Bishkek, after which both leaders travelled together to the World Nomad Games opening ceremony.
Also Read: BRICS Summit 2026: PM Modi Meets Vladimir Putin In New Delhi Ahead Of Summit
To read more such news, download Bharat Express news apps
