Prime Minister Narendra Modi presents a Russian translation of the ‘Thirukkural’ to Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Summit, at Bharat Mandapam, in New Delhi. Photo credit: @pmoindia/YT via PTI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (September 11, 2026) gave a copy of the Russian translation of Thirukkural -- the classical Tamil poem collection authored by legendary poet and philosopher Thiruvalluvar -- during his bilateral meeting with President Vladimir Putin ahead of the BRICS Summit.Thirukkural, a seminal work by much-revered Thiruvalluvar, contains words of wisdom on multiple subjects.BRICS Summit 2026 LIVE updates"Presented President Putin with a Russian translation of the Thirukkural, which carries the eternal wisdom of the great Thiruvalluvar across languages and borders," Mr. Modi posted on X.ரஷ்ய அதிபர் புதினுக்கு தெய்வப்புலவர் திருவள்ளுவரின் திருக்குறள் ரஷ்ய மொழிபெயர்ப்பு பிரதியை பரிசளித்தேன். திருக்குறள் தேச எல்லைகள், மொழிகளைக் கடந்த திருவள்ளுவரின் அளப்பரிய ஞானத்தைப் பறைசாற்றுகிறது. pic.twitter.com/7bNWMcMTH7— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 11, 2026He also shared a small video clip of his meeting with Mr. Putin, as the two leaders cordially shook hands after the prime minister presented him with the book.The Modi-Putin talks at the Bharat Mandapam in Delhi came a day ahead of the BRICS Summit, which is being hosted by India on September 12 and 13.Prime Minister Modi was accompanied by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Principal Secretary Shaktikanta Das and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and other senior officials in the meeting. The two leaders had met on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Kyrgyz Republic’s capital, Bishkek on August 31 where Prime Minister Modi had called for ending the war in Ukraine. The two leaders are also expected to delve into expanding the already-strong defence cooperation. Against the backdrop of continued conflict in West Asia and the supply chain disruption, measures were discussed to ensure energy and fertilizer flow through strategic joint ventures. Mr. Putin landed in New Delhi this morning on a three-day visit to participate in the BRICS summit.(With PTI inputs) Published - September 11, 2026 06:07 pm IST
