New Delhi, 11 September (H.S.):

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday presented Russian President Vladimir Putin with a Russian-language translation of the Thirukkural, the celebrated Tamil classic attributed to poet and philosopher Thiruvalluvar, during their bilateral meeting in New Delhi on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit.

The presentation of the literary work served as a cultural gesture alongside the leaders’ diplomatic engagement, highlighting India’s rich literary heritage and the longstanding civilisational links between India and Russia. The Thirukkural is regarded as one of the most important works of classical Tamil literature and consists of 1,330 couplets covering themes such as ethics, virtue, governance, love and the conduct of human life.

The meeting between Modi and Putin took place on Friday ahead of the 18th BRICS Summit, which India is hosting on September 12 and 13. The two leaders are expected to discuss a broad range of issues concerning the India-Russia strategic partnership, including trade, industrial cooperation, energy, critical minerals and people-to-people ties.

Economic engagement is expected to be a major focus of the talks, with the two sides looking at ways to expand bilateral trade and create greater opportunities for businesses in both countries. Discussions are also likely to cover industrial cooperation in sectors such as railways, tunnelling and steel, including the INNOPROM India initiative aimed at strengthening manufacturing and industrial partnerships.

Civil nuclear cooperation is another important area on the bilateral agenda. India and Russia are exploring greater cooperation across the nuclear fuel cycle as well as long-term support for nuclear projects.

The two countries are also expected to examine opportunities to strengthen cooperation in critical minerals, an area of growing importance for strategic and high-technology industries. Fertiliser supplies and potential joint-venture projects are also likely to feature in discussions, given Russia’s significance as a supplier to India.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar