Prime Minister Narendra Modi presents Russian President Vladimir Putin with a Russian translation of the ancient Tamil classic Thirukkural
| Photo Credit:
On the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented Russian President Vladimir Putin with a Russian translation of the ancient Tamil classic Thirukkural. Published in 2026 by the Central Institute of Classical Tamil, the edition features original Tamil verses alongside transliterations and a translation by Naira Mkrtchyan. Composed by the poet-philosopher Thiruvalluvar between 300 BCE and 500 CE, the iconic work consists of 1,330 couplets covering virtue, statecraft, and love, offering timeless wisdom on governance and ethics that PM Modi leveraged to highlight India’s rich literary tradition.The diplomatic gesture underscores a historic cultural connection between India and Russia that dates back centuries. The Thirukkural gained attention among Russian intellectuals in the 19th century, notably influencing literary giant Leo Tolstoy, whose engagement with its themes of non-violence and virtue was later reflected in his famous correspondence with Mahatma Gandhi. By gifting President Putin this landmark work, Prime Minister Modi subtly bridged historic intellectual ties with modern diplomatic relations, grounding current India-Russia strategic discussions in a shared appreciation for global philosophy and heritage.Published on September 11, 2026
