Diplomatist Magazine Diplomatist October 2019 | Page 26

Alexander
Pushkin had a
great interest
in Ramayana.
Russian
Translations of
Gita and Sakuntala
appeared in
1788 and 1792
respectively.
University (Vladivostok), etc. The Institute
of Philosophy (Moscow) has Mahatma
Gandhi Chair on Indian Philosophy. PM
Modi in his speech at the plenary session of
5th EEF recollected the mutual infl uence and
shared vision left by Tolstoy and Gandhi as
an inspiration to work together for a stable
and secure future of the world. “This will
be the beginning of a new chapter” in India-
Russia partnership in 2019 on the occasion
of celebrating 150th birth anniversary of
Mahatma Gandhi (MEA 2019).
Russia has a strong tradition of Indology
studies. Indian languages like Hindi, Sanskrit,
Tamil, Malayalam, Marathi, Gujarati, Bengali,
Urdu, Sanskrit and Pali are being taught
in Russian universities. Festival of Hindi
language is an important event. In the 5th
EEF meeting, both sides agreed to “continue
the comprehensive popularization of the
Russian language in India and the Hindi
language in Russia, in particular through
the development of contacts between
relevant educational organizations
tions of
the two countries” (MEA 2019).
).
Both sides agreed to develop
p
cooperation in education and
implementation of bilateral
cultural exchanges by expanding
ng
geographies and involving youth
h and
folk art groups. The partnership between
Indian media WION and Russian media
Sputnik was announced in EEF meeting.
This media partnership aims to create an
interactive platform for “communicating
26 • Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Diplomatist • Vol 7 • Issue 10 • October 2019, Noida
cultures and consolidating partnerships.”
Sudhir Chaudhary, WION’s Editor-in-Chief
says the new era of bilateral partnership “will
demonstrate the importance of soft power in
a complex geopolitical landscape.”
Russians have maintained strong affi nities
towards Indian cuisines and spices. In
fact, tea is called “Chai” in both Russian
and Hindi. “Masala Chai” has become
very popular in Russia. Many Indians are
running successful restaurants in Russian
cities such as Vladivostok. Russians have
fascinations towards Indian traditions, family
values and consumer products. Tourism,
commemorations of historical milestones,
Literature festivals, architectural marvels,
ancient monuments, IT outsourcing and sports
events are soft power resources that India may
evoke in Russia.
India and Russia are two nations which
greatly infl uenced and learned from
each other. Mutual civilizational
encounters, mutuality of
literature and revolutionary
ideals attracted both nations
towards each other. India’s
civilizational credentials,
values of tolerance, acceptance,
refuge, pluralism, co-existence
of diff erent religions, languages,
cultures and inclusiveness and cross-
fertilisation of cultures are respected in
Russia. Indian writer, Rahul Sankrityayan
contributed a travelogue titled “From Volga
to Ganga”, which could be perfect imagery