Russian Culture Minister calls on Ambika Soni

New Delhi, Jan 24 (UNI) India today said it attached high importance to Russia, which could be gauged by a series of high-level exchanges at the highest level of political leaderships of the two countries.

This was conveyed to Russian Culture and Mass Communications Minister Alexander Sokolov, who called on Tourism and Culture Minister Ambika Soni here.

During their half-an-hour meeting, the two leaders discussed cultural and bilateral relations between India and Russia, which are characterised by deep mutual trust and confidence.

Ms. Soni said the strengthening of relations between the two countries was reflected in a series of high-level exchanges in the last two years, which included visits to Russia President APJ Abdul Kalam, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi from the Indian side.

The Russian dignitaries, who visited India, included Prime Minister Fradkov and President Vladimir Putin.

Both the leaders recalled holding of the ''Days of Russian Culture'' in India in 2003 and ''Days of Indian Culture'' in Russia in 2005.

Ms. Soni, in particular, recalled the wholehearted support extended by Mr. Sokolov for the ''Days of Indian Culture'' in Russia in September-October 2005.

''With the proposed signing of the new Cultural Exchange Programme for the year 2007-09, our cultural and academic exchanges will get a new boost,'' she said.

The minister also briefed Mr. Sokolov about the Incredible India campaign for positioning India as an attractive international tourist destination.

UNI