New Delhi: As India and Russia mark the 75 years of diplomacy, Russian Ambassador to India, Denis Alipov said that he is resuming a tradition of reciprocal cultural festivals between the two countries after years of offline cultural exchange due to Covid-19 pandemic, reported news agency ANI.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Russian Cultural Festival here, Alipov said that the festival will be the most colourful manifestation of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Russia.
Highlighting a popular Hindi saying, the envoy said, “Dosti se zyada kuch bhi nahi hota” (nothing is more important than a friendship) and added that the mission of the festival is to increase people-to-people ties.
"Tonight we are resuming the wonderful tradition of reciprocal cultural festivals of Russia and India and India and Russia. This year we have brought to India three very prominent, famous groups and dance and song groups and this particular year's festival will become a very colourful culmination of the 75th anniversary Russia-India diplomatic relations,” the Russian envoy said.
“It would be a very vivid illustration of the rich and diverse cultural bonds between our nations, the historic friendship, mutual interest and understanding and trust" he added.
The cultural exchange, which was affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, resumed this year.
"After years of living during the pandemic, we resume this wonderful tradition which has always been very popular in both our friendly countries. Over a week's time, our Indian friends will enjoy a number of brilliant performances spread across the metropolitan cities of New Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata as a tribute to one of the most ancient civilizations on Earth,” Alipov said.
“The festival will be the most colourful manifestation of the 75th anniversary of Russia and India's diplomatic relationship which we celebrate this year. There is a popular saying in India, 'Dosti se zyada kuch bhi nahi hota' (there is nothing more important than friendship). A very precise characteristic of the trusted and friendly character of Russia and India's strategic partnership. This mission of the festival is to increase our humanitarian ties through cultural events ", he added.