OREANDA-NEWS.  February 12, 2008. Vladimir Putin sent a greeting to the participants, organizers and guests of the Festival of Russian Culture in India.

The greeting reads, in part:

"The friendly ties between Russia and India are dynamically developing in all spheres in the spirit of our strategic partnership. Our relations have always been based on respect for our national traditions and the unique cultural heritage of the peoples of both our countries. The Festival of Russian culture, part of the Year of Russia in India in 2008, is an important  confirmation of this.

I am confident that the festival will provide Indian society with new opportunities to learn from the best samples of classical and contemporary Russian art, and thereby allow Russia to become closer and better understood by Indians.

I have no doubt that the implementation of cultural projects during our respective national years will trigger great interest as well as act as an important step in further strengthening mutual trust and help expand fruitful Russian-Indian cooperation".