Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented Russian President Vladimir Putin with a Russian translation of the ancient Tamil classic Thirukkural during their meeting on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi. The gesture added a cultural dimension to the high-level interaction between the two leaders and highlighted the enduring influence of Indian thought beyond the country’s borders.
The book was presented to Putin a day ahead of the BRICS Summit and carried particular significance because of the Thirukkural’s long-standing, though relatively lesser-known, connection with Russia. Indian philosophy and literature have influenced Russian writers and intellectuals for centuries, giving the classical Tamil work an important place in the broader cultural relationship between India and Russia.
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The edition gifted by Modi was published in 2026 by the Central Institute of Classical Tamil. It brings together the original Tamil verses, their transliteration and a Russian translation, allowing Russian-speaking readers to engage with the work while also retaining its connection to the original Tamil text.
The Thirukkural is an ancient Tamil classic known for its teachings and reflections on life, values and human conduct. By presenting a Russian-language edition to Putin, Modi emphasised the timeless nature of the work and its potential to reach readers across linguistic and cultural boundaries.
The Russian rendering in the gifted edition has been undertaken by Naira Mkrtchyan. The publication therefore offers Russian readers access to the classic through a translation while preserving the original Tamil verses and their transliteration alongside it.
During the presentation, Modi highlighted the timeless wisdom contained in the Thirukkural. He also expressed hope that the work would inspire readers across Russia. The choice of the book as a diplomatic gift therefore went beyond a conventional exchange of presents, drawing attention to India’s literary and philosophical heritage.
The gesture also brought into focus the cultural links that have developed between India and Russia over the years. While bilateral relations frequently receive attention for political and diplomatic engagements, the presentation of the Thirukkural underlined the role of literature and intellectual traditions in connecting societies.
The meeting between Modi and Putin took place in New Delhi in connection with the BRICS Summit. Against this backdrop, the presentation of the Russian translation provided a symbolic reference to India’s ancient literary traditions and their relevance in a contemporary international setting.
The gift reflects an effort to take Indian classical literature to a wider global audience. By presenting a Russian translation of a centuries-old Tamil work to Russia’s President, Modi sought to connect India’s ancient wisdom with Russian readers and the country’s own historical interest in Indian philosophy.
The Thirukkural gift thus emerged as a notable cultural moment surrounding the Modi-Putin meeting, combining diplomacy, literature and the shared intellectual history between India and Russia.
