Archive · 12 Sep 2026
Modi Gifts Putin Russian Thirukkural Translation Ahead of BRICS Summit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave Russian President Vladimir Putin a special book.
The book is a Russian translation of the Thirukkural, a famous Tamil work by Thiruvalluvar.
It contains 1,330 short poems about good behavior, leadership, family, work and life.
Modi gave Putin the book during a meeting in New Delhi.
The meeting happened just before India hosted the BRICS Summit.
The leaders were expected to discuss ways to increase trade between India and Russia.
They could also discuss defence, nuclear energy, minerals, fertilisers and jobs for skilled workers.
The Ukraine conflict and possible efforts to end it were also expected to be discussed.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented Russian President Vladimir Putin with a Russian translation of the Thirukkural during talks in New Delhi.
The meeting took place at Bharat Mandapam on September 11, 2026, one day before India’s 18th BRICS Summit.
The Thirukkural, written by Tamil poet-philosopher Thiruvalluvar, contains 1,330 couplets on ethics, governance, human values, love and conduct.
India and Russia are expected to discuss raising annual bilateral trade to $100 billion by 2030 and expanding industrial cooperation.
Possible agenda items include defence, civil nuclear energy, critical minerals, fertilisers, skilled-worker mobility, market access and the Ukraine conflict.
- Who
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
- What
- Modi presented Putin with a Russian-language edition of the Thirukkural during bilateral talks.
- When
- September 11, 2026, one day before the 18th BRICS Summit.
- Where
- Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, India.
- Why
- The gift highlighted Indian literary heritage in a language accessible to Putin, while the meeting addressed India-Russia economic, strategic and diplomatic cooperation.
- Book presented
- A Russian translation of the Thirukkural featuring an image of Thiruvalluvar on its cover.
- Work contents
- The Thirukkural contains 1,330 couplets on ethics, virtue, governance, social conduct, family life, agriculture and human values.
- Meeting date
- September 11, 2026.
- BRICS Summit
- The 18th BRICS Summit was hosted by India in New Delhi on September 12 and 13.
- Trade target
- India and Russia are considering increasing annual bilateral trade to $100 billion by 2030.
- Economic cooperation
- Expected areas include industrial partnerships, railways, tunnelling, steel, critical minerals, fertilisers and improved market access.
- Other discussions
- Potential topics include defence, BrahMos upgrades, pending S-400 deliveries, possible Su-57 supplies, civil nuclear cooperation, skilled-worker mobility and the Ukraine conflict.
