Russian President Vladimir Putin was honoured with a lavish state banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Friday evening, marking the conclusion of his two-day visit to India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and other senior officials attended the event, which celebrated the enduring India-Russia partnership through cuisine, music, and cultural exchange.
The banquet featured a purely vegetarian menu that highlighted the richness of India’s regional culinary heritage. The meal began with Murungelai Chaaru, a traditional South Indian soup, followed by starters such as Gucchi Doon Chetin (stuffed morels with Kashmiri walnut chutney), Kaale Chane Ke Shikampuri (pan-grilled black gram kebabs), and Vegetable Jhol Momo served with a spicy chutney.
For the main course, guests enjoyed a thoughtfully curated thali including Zafrani Paneer Roll, Paalak Methi Mattar Ka Saag, Tandoori Bharwan Aloo, Achaari Baingan, and Yellow Dal Tadka, accompanied by Dry Fruit and Saffron Pulao. A variety of Indian breads Laccha Parantha, Magaz Naan, Satanaj Roti, Missi Roti, and Biscuity Roti complemented the meal. Desserts included Badam Ka Halwa, Kesar-Pista Kulfi, and fresh fruits, alongside traditional sweets like Gur Sandesh and snacks such as Murakku. Fresh juices made from pomegranate, orange, carrot, and ginger were served, rounding off the meal with a healthy touch.
Indian, Russian Tunes Unite at Rashtrapati Bhavan
Music added another layer of cultural richness to the evening. The Rashtrapati Bhavan Naval Band, accompanied by a classical instrumental ensemble, performed a unique blend of Indian and Russian compositions. Indian raagas like Amritavarshini, Khamaj, Yaman, Shivranjini, Nalinakanthi, Bhairavi, and Desh were paired with Russian folk tunes such as Kalinka and selections from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite. A rendition of the popular Hindi song Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani added a contemporary touch, bridging both cultures beautifully.
President Murmu welcomed the Russian leader and reflected on the long-standing partnership, “Today holds special significance for us as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the India-Russia Strategic Partnership… The India-Russia partnership is based on a shared commitment to peace, stability, and mutual socio-economic and technological progress. The year 2025 has been a highly successful year for our multifaceted relationship… The Joint Statement issued for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit expresses our special relationship and offers a broad roadmap to deepen our bilateral engagement.”
President Putin praised the depth of the relationship and its potential for global impact, “15 years ago, we signed an important declaration that elevated our relations to a new level, the level of a specially privileged strategic partnership. This partnership is developing based on the principles of equality, respect and mutual consideration of our interests. It is getting substantiated even more. Our talks with our Indian friends yesterday and today were genuinely open and constructive. The declaration that we have adopted encompasses a wide range of cooperation across different spheres, including politics, security, the economy and trade, energy, education, and other areas. I am sure that this declaration, along with the other documents, will give a strong push to the development of our bilateral relations.”
Putin Highlights India-Russia Role in Global Cooperation
He further highlighted the countries’ commitment to international cooperation, “It is as important to mention that Russia and India are working together to establish a fairer and just world order. We are convinced that it should be based on the United Nations’ central role and the balance of interests among all members of the international community. We are coordinating our joint efforts with India as the chair of BRICS in 2026, and in other international multilateral formats as well. Overall, we are cooperating within our common Eurasian space to build a true atmosphere of security, trust, and peace for all countries of the world. I know that in India, you say, ‘go together, grow together.’ These words truly reflect the nature and the character of the Russian-Indian relations, and we will do everything to make sure our strategic partnership grows and develops for the good of all our people.”
During the visit, Putin co-chaired the India-Russia Annual Summit with PM Modi. The leaders agreed to strengthen transport corridors and elevate economic cooperation to “new heights” by 2030. In a move to encourage tourism, PM Modi announced India will soon introduce a 30-day free e-tourist visa and a 30-day group tourist visa for Russian citizens.
Following the banquet, President Putin departed Delhi, accompanied by External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar. The evening left a lasting impression, combining diplomacy with cultural and culinary celebration, and underscored the strength and warmth of India-Russia relations.
