President Vladimir Putin sent his greetings to the organisers, participants and guests at the Russian Culture Festival
in India.
The President's message of greetings reads in particular:
"It gives me genuine pleasure to send my greetings to the participants, organisers and guests at the Russian Culture
Festival in India.
The friendly ties between Russia and India - ties that are developing rapidly in all different areas in a spirit of
strategic partnership - have always been based on respect for each other's national traditions and the unique cultural
heritage of our peoples. This can be seen clearly in the organisation of the Russian Culture Festival as part of the
Year of Russia in India in 2008.
I am sure that the festival will give the Indian public new opportunities to see some of the finest examples of
classical and modern Russian art, and this will bring Russia closer to them and give them greater understanding of our
country.
I have no doubt that the cultural projects we organise as part of the national year exchanges will meet with great
interest and enable us to take an important step forward in strengthening the trust and developing productive
cooperation between Russia and India".
ENDS