New Delhi: Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India concluded on Friday with a grand farewell dinner hosted by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan, celebrating India’s culinary diversity while underscoring the deepening ties between the two nations.
The two-day visit of President Putin, his first since the war in Ukraine, included high-level bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the signing of a new joint declaration, spanning politics, defence, trade, energy, education, and more. The farewell dinner was both a cultural spectacle and a diplomatic gesture, offering the visiting leader a memorable send-off.
A Culinary Tour Across India
The evening opened with Murungelai Chaaru, a tangy South Indian-style rasam, setting the tone for a menu that celebrated regional flavours. Appetisers included Gucchi Doon Chetin, morels stuffed and paired with a Kashmiri walnut chutney, Kaale Chane Ke Shikampuri kebabs, and Vegetable Jhol Momos served with a fiery dip.
The main course was an elaborate vegetarian feast, featuring Zafrani Paneer Roll, Paalak Methi Mattar Saag, Tandoori Bharwan Aloo, Achaari Baingan, and comforting Yellow Dal Tadka. These were paired with Dry Fruit-Saffron Pulao and an extensive range of Indian breads, including Laccha Parantha, Magaz Naan, Satanaaj Roti, Missi Roti, and a crisp Biscuity Roti.
Desserts featured classics such as Badam Halwa, Kesar-Pista Kulfi, and seasonal fruits, accompanied by traditional treats like Gur Sandesh, Murukku, assorted pickles, and fresh salads. The beverage menu included refreshing juices blended from pomegranate, orange, carrot, and ginger, completing a menu designed to showcase the richness of Indian cuisine.
Music and Cultural Fusion
Adding to the elegance of the evening, the Rashtrapati Bhavan Naval Band collaborated with classical instrumentalists to present a fusion music set. Indian ragas, including Amritavarshini, Yaman, Khamaj, Bhairavi, Shivranjini, Desh, and Nalinakanthi, were seamlessly intertwined with Russian folk and classical favourites like Kalinka, excerpts from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite, and even the Bollywood hit Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani.
The cultural program highlighted not just India’s musical heritage but also the friendly convergence of Russian and Indian traditions, underscoring the symbolic warmth of the occasion.
Reflections on India-Russia Ties
During the dinner, President Putin lauded the growing depth of India-Russia relations, noting that the new joint declaration with PM Modi builds upon a landmark agreement signed 15 years ago that elevated the partnership to a “specially privileged strategic partnership.”
He emphasised both countries’ shared vision of a more balanced global order led by the United Nations and echoed India’s phrase, “go together, grow together,” to describe the relationship.
President Murmu, in her address, marked the 25th anniversary of the India–Russia Strategic Partnership and highlighted 2025 as a productive year for bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors. The joint statement released at the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit charts an ambitious path for future engagement, with plans for enhanced economic, educational, and technological collaboration.
Beyond Diplomacy: Tourism and Connectivity
During his visit, PM Modi and President Putin discussed strengthening transport connectivity between India and Russia and outlined new ambitions for their economic partnership, aiming for significant expansion by 2030.
The Indian Prime Minister also announced plans to introduce a free 30-day e-tourist visa and a 30-day group tourist visa for Russian visitors, further facilitating people-to-people exchanges and cultural ties.
Following the dinner, President Putin departed Delhi, with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar accompanying him to the airport. The visit, which combined high-level diplomatic engagement with cultural and culinary hospitality, reinforced the longstanding strategic and people-centric ties between India and Russia.
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