President Murmu hosts grand state banquet for Vladimir Putin, showcasing India’s culinary and cultural heritage

Ankita Jain,

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India on Friday hosted an elaborate cultural and culinary display for Russian President Vladimir Putin as President Draupadi Murmu hosted a state banquet at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, Putin’s last engagement before leaving for Moscow.

The dinner featured regional delicacies from across India, including Gucchi Doon Chetin (stuffed morels with Kashmiri walnut chutney), Achaari Baingan, Yellow Dal Tadka, and dry fruit–laden saffron pulao, paired with Lachha Parantha and Magaz Naan. Desserts included Gur Sandesh, Murukku, and a winter-special Badam Ka Halwa.

Adding to the ambiance, the Naval Band and a classical group presented a song from Shah Rukh Khan’s film Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani and a mix of Indian and Russian compositions ranging from ragas like Amritvarshini to the Russian folk tune Kalinka. The group also paid tribute to composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky with The Nutcracker Suite played on sarod, sarangi and tabla.

Addressing President Putin and the visiting delegation, Murmu said India-Russia relations are rooted in “peace, stability and a shared commitment to mutual socio-economic and technological advancement”. He said the year 2025 has been particularly productive with progress in trade, defence, civil nuclear energy, science and technology, culture and people-to-people ties.

On completion of 25 years of India-Russia strategic partnership, Murmu acknowledged Putin’s “personal commitment” to strengthening the relationship and recalled the long-standing cultural bridge between the two countries, from ancient trade routes to the correspondence between Mahatma Gandhi and Leo Tolstoy.

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During the banquet, President Vladimir Putin underlined the depth of the relationship, saying, “15 years ago we signed an important declaration, which raised our relations to a new level, the level of special privileged strategic partnership. This partnership is developing on the basis of the principles of equality, respect and mutual consideration of our interests. It is becoming even more certified.”

He said, “Our conversations with our Indian friends yesterday and today were really open and constructive. The declaration we adopted covers a wide range of cooperation in various fields, including politics, security, economy and trade, energy, education and other areas. I am sure that this declaration, together with other documents, will give a strong boost to the development of our bilateral relations.”

Earlier in the day, Putin was given a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan and a tri-service guard of honour. He reached new delhi on Thursday evening for his first visit to India in four years.

India News