India congratulates Russia on National Day

New Delhi, June 12: Today is the 'National Day of Russia.' It was on this day in 1990 that its Parliament adopted the Declaration on the State Sovereignty of the Russian Federation that paved the way for the development of Russian statehood based on the principles of constitutional federalism, equality and partnership.

A ceremony to mark the event was organised here last evening jointly by Russian Centre of Science and Culture, Indo-Russian Youth Club and India-Russia Friendship Society as a step to strengthen and expand Indo-Russian friendship. National Commission for Scheduled Castes Chairman and former Union home minister, Dr Buta Singh, was the Chief Guest.

Dr Buta Singh reiterated the significance of Indo-Russian relations and the long tradition of great friendship shared by them.

Dr Singh praised the support given by Russian President Vladimir Putin to India's candidature for a permanent seat at the UN Security Council, while hailing the prevailing Indo-Russian friendship.

Dr Singh while recollecting history said India owes its growth to Russia as Aryans who settled in Sind, and developed a civilisation came from Middle Asia, mainly from today's Russia. So Indian culture has so much similarity with Russian culture.

A welcome addresss by the Deputy Director of Russian Centre of Science and Culture Mr Sergey P Vanyukov was the prelude to the event. He focused on the long and deep tradition of friendship between India and Russia.

Mr Vanyukov said both India and Russia celebrate each other's major events with same enthusiasm and continuity while focusing on depth of the bonding between the two nations.

He further added that bilateral relations between the two countries have further prospects of greater significance as they have so much to share from politics to defence, to education to culture.

Russian foreign policy believes in maintaining friendly relations with leading Asian countries, particularly India, as their relation holds a major role in the geo-political arena, said Mr Vanyukov.

Other prominent guests who expressed their views on Indo- Russian relationship were Ms Purnima Anand, General Secretary, Indo-Russian Youth Club, President of Nehru Brigade and Ex Deputy Mayor of Delhi Mr Ramesh Dutta and Dr R B Singh, General Secretary, India-Russia friendship Society.

The other highlights of the occasion were song and dance performances by students of Institute of Russian Language focused on Russian culture. Artistes from the song and drama division of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting also presented a cultural bonanza on Indian heritage.

UNI