Shashi Tharoor, MP, has stressed the need for strengthening diplomatic relations between Russia and India for creating a peaceful world.
Mr. Tharoor was inaugurating the ten-month-long celebrations organised by the Russian House in Thiruvananthapuram to mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two nations.
The ties between India and Russia are unique and time-tested, and despite changes in the geopolitical scenario, they remain unchanged, Mr. Tharoor said.
''After the disintegration of the Soviet Union, we thought the friendly relations would decline. But Russia, being a longstanding friend, continued to support our country's economic development and security. Our special and privileged strategic partnership is significant despite new allies among nations," Mr. Tharoor was quoted in a statement issued by the Russian House.
Former Vice-Chancellor of the Central University of Kerala, G. Gopakumar, delivered the key-note address.
Dr. Gopakumar said that the Treaty of Peace, Friendship and Co-operation and declaration of strategic partnership between India and the erstwhile USSR were milestones in the ties between the two nations.
Ratheesh C. Nair, Honorary Consul of the Russian Federation and Director of the Russian House in Thiruvananthapuram, said that a series of seminars, exhibitions, discussions and competitions will be organised as part of the celebrations.
P. S. Sreekumar, the former registrar of the Public Policy Research Institute, and Kavitha Nair, Assistant Director of the Russian House, also spoke on the occasion.
P. S. Sreekumar, the former registrar of the Public Policy Research Institute, and Kavitha Nair, Assistant Director of the Russian House, also spoke on the occasion.
