New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday greeted Vladimir Putin with a handshake and warm hug as the Russian President arrived at Bharat Mandapam for a bilateral meeting, ahead of the BRICS Summit.
The Indian PM had a special gift for Putin — a Russian translation of Thirukkural, one of the most celebrated and foundational works of ancient Tamil literature.
It was a well thought-out gift as the Thirukkural, written over 2,000 years ago by Tamil poet-philosopher Thiruvalluvar, has a fascinating historical link to Russia.
Legendary Russian author Leo Tolstoy was deeply influenced by the Thirukkural after coming across it through an early translation in the 19th century. Its emphasis on virtue, compassion and non-violence is said to have influenced Tolstoy’s philosophical writings.
There are also accounts linking Tolstoy’s engagement with the text to his correspondence with Mahatma Gandhi in the early 20th century. Some even claim that Tolstoy recommended the Thirukkural to the Mahatma and that its teachings played a part in shaping the latter’s ideas on non-violence.
PM Modi sought to highlight this old literary connection within the modern India-Russia relationship by presenting Putin a Russian edition of Thirukkural, translated by Naira Mkrtchyan and published by the Central Institute of Classical Tamil.
“I hope this book helps strengthen our people-to-people connections,” he said.
#WATCH | Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin hold a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of BRICS Summit 2026.
(Video Source: DD News) pic.twitter.com/KhlCIatMI2
— ANI (@ANI) September 11, 2026