News and Events NEW RUSSIAN PRESIDENT: CONTINUITY OF POLICY AND CLOSER BOND OF BILATERAL RELATIONS

New Delhi, April 7, 2008:: Speakers at a Seminar “The Recent Presidential elections in Russia and Russian-Indian Relation”, jointly organized by the Russian Centre of Science & Culture (RCSC) and Unity International Foundation, within the framework of Year of Russia in India, at RCSC, 24, Ferozeshah Road, on April 4, 2008, were unanimous in hailing the dynamic leadership of President Vladimir Putin thereby expressing confidence that the President-elect Mr. Dmitry Medvedev will continue the Russian foreign policy in our strategic partnership. Describing the election of Mr. Dmitry Medvedev as the new President of Russia, the Chief Guest, Mr. M. V. Rajasekharan, the then Minister of State for Planning, Government of India, said that a new chapter in Indo-Russian relations is beginning to start, and the broad policies would continue with freshness and new light being provided in the bilateral ties. The shift that we all witness could be taken as a positive indicator of brighter future and closer bonding between the peoples of two friendly countries, he added.

Earlier, welcoming an elite gathering, Mr. Fyodor A. Rozovskiy, Director, RCSC, noted that the conduct of recent Presidential Elections in Russia is an eloquent expression of the will and reflection on the unity and commitment of the people, and the smooth process of transition of power is symbolic of the stability and transparency of the political system existing in the country. Dwelling upon the commitment to democratic values and practices, that India shares with Russia, the main speaker, Mr. Hari Kishore Singh, Former Minister of State for External Affairs, Government of India, said that the consensus of Indo-Russian relations reflect on different levels and spheres are proved by the Declaration on Strategic Partnership signed between our two countries. Referring to Russia as a pillar of strength, he said that US invasion of Iraq would never have happened during Soviet times. He was all for a strong Delhi-Moscow-Beijing tie-up with a new perspective. The Guest of Honour, Mr. Alexander N. Palchev, Senior Counsellor, Embassy of the Russian Federation in India, pointed out that the huge popularity and trust President Vladimir Putin and his policies enjoy in Russia have conditioned the overwhelming support for the candidature of Mr. Dmitry Medvedev, who is committed to carry forward the initiatives of the outgoing President. Mr. Palchev added that in Russia there is national consensus that the development of friendly relations with India, which have long and eventful history, must remain the highest priority of Russia’s foreign policy. In his Presidential Address, Dr, Bhisham Narayana Singh, President of Unity International Foundation and former Cabinet Minister and Governor, congratulated the President-elect Mr. Dmitry Medvedev and expressed the hope that the best relations India had with Mr. Vladimir Putin will continue with all the vigour and spirit in the years to come under the new leadership. Proposing a vote of thanks, Mr. R. N. Anil, Secretary-General, Unity International Foundation, said that Mr. Vladimir Putin proved to be the people’s President, who maintained high standard of governance, and the new President is committed to integrate Russia more into world affairs following the policies of Mr. Putin. There will be absolute continuity in Russia’s relations with India, he added.