PM Modi Gifts Russian Translation of ‘Thirukkural’ to President Putin at BRICS Summit

Modi Presents Thirukkural to Putin

Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted Russian President Vladimir Putin a Russian translation of Thirukkural during their bilateral meeting in New Delhi on Friday, September 11, ahead of the 18th BRICS Summit.

Modi described the book as carrying the “eternal wisdom” of the Tamil poet-philosopher Thiruvalluvar across languages and borders. The gift added a cultural dimension to the India-Russia engagement taking place alongside discussions on strategic and economic cooperation.

What Is Thirukkural?

Thirukkural, also known as the Kural, is one of the most celebrated works of classical Tamil literature. Written by the poet and philosopher Thiruvalluvar, the text contains 1,330 couplets organised into 133 chapters.

The work is broadly divided into three sections — Aram (virtue), Porul (wealth) and Inbam (love). Its verses address subjects including ethical conduct, governance, social relationships, personal values and human life.

Russian Translation Brings Tamil Wisdom to Putin

The edition presented to Putin contains the original Tamil text alongside its Russian translation. Reports said the 2026 edition was translated into Russian by Naira Mkrtchyan and published by the Central Institute of Classical Tamil.

Presenting the work in Russian allows its philosophical and ethical ideas to reach a wider audience and makes the gift particularly relevant to India's cultural outreach with Russia.

Cultural Diplomacy in India-Russia Relations

The gesture is being seen as an example of cultural diplomacy, where literature and shared civilisational values complement formal diplomatic engagement.

India and Russia have maintained longstanding ties across areas such as defence, energy, trade, technology and education. Cultural exchanges have also remained an important element of the relationship.

The Thirukkural gift provides a symbolic link between India's ancient literary traditions and contemporary India-Russia relations.

Modi-Putin Meeting Focuses on Strategic Partnership

The book was presented during Modi's bilateral meeting with Putin, held on the eve of the BRICS Summit.

The two leaders discussed strengthening the India-Russia strategic partnership, including cooperation in areas such as energy, defence, trade and industry. They also discussed international developments, including conflicts in West Asia and the Black Sea region and their impact on maritime trade.

India and Russia are also working towards increasing bilateral trade, with the two countries aiming to take annual trade to $100 billion by 2030.

Thirukkural and Its Universal Message

Although rooted in Tamil culture, Thirukkural has been widely recognised for its universal themes.

Its emphasis on ethical behaviour, good governance, responsibility, compassion and human relationships allows the text to transcend geographical and cultural boundaries. The work has therefore been translated into several languages over the years.

For India, presenting a Russian-language edition to a major foreign leader also highlights the country's linguistic and literary diversity on an international platform.

Why the Gift Matters

The choice of Thirukkural carries significance beyond the book itself. It showcases Tamil literary heritage while communicating India's broader civilisational traditions to an international audience.

The gift also comes at an important moment for India-Russia ties, with both countries seeking to expand their partnership beyond traditional areas and strengthen economic and industrial cooperation.

Conclusion

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's presentation of the Russian translation of Thirukkural to President Vladimir Putin added a cultural dimension to their bilateral engagement ahead of the BRICS Summit.

With its 1,330 couplets covering ethics, governance, wealth and human relationships, Thirukkural represents an important part of India's classical literary heritage. The Russian translation offers a symbolic cultural bridge between India and Russia while reinforcing the broader relationship between the two countries.