With friends and colleagues from the diplomatic circle in attendance, the Embassy of Russia celebrated Russia Day with an evening of speeches, music, and dancing. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri attended the event as the chief guest for the second consecutive year. While the formal event highlighted the enduring ties between India and Russia, the mood turned festive as the Moscow-based Stilyagi band got guests onto the dance floor. The reception concluded with a display of fireworks.
Russian Ambassador Welcomes Guests in Fluent Hindi
Starting his speech in Hindi, Russian Ambassador Denis Alipov impressed the audience with his crisp pronunciation and effortless delivery, navigating even difficult words with ease. He said, "Roos ke rashtriya divas ke avsar pe aap sabhi ka main haardik swagat aur abhinandan karta hoon ... Russia Day symbolises the more than a thousand-year continuity of the Russian state, the unity and cohesion of our multinational nation, and its heroic heritage, unique identity and enduring cultural and traditional values, which form the foundation of our sovereignty and progress."
Reflecting on current global developments, he added, "The world is undergoing what may be the most significant structural transformation in modern history. We are witnessing a shift from a hierarchical system that benefited only a limited number of states to a multipolar world order that is more complex but also more just and balanced. This transformation is irreversible, though not without challenges. Established powers unprepared for fair competition increasingly resort to unilateral measures that are essentially neocolonial in nature, including sanctions, tariffs, one-sided regulatory standards, and other instruments of pressure and leverage. As a result, there is growing global demand for equal governance and indivisible collective security where the prosperity of one nation does not come at the expense of others."
Highlighting the long-standing relationship between India and Russia, he said, "Our diplomatic relations will mark their 80th anniversary next year. Throughout these decades, our partnership has been built on trust, mutual respect and support, delivering substantial benefits across many fields for our nations resilient in the face of external pressures."
India and Russia’s Bond Has Withstood the Test of Time
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said, "It is a pleasure to have this opportunity to join all of you and to extend on behalf of the Government of India. Our greetings and felicitations to our Russian colleagues on the occasion of the National Day of the Russian Federation. I was here last year as well, and I am indeed very glad to be back. India and Russia share a special bond that has withstood the test of time. Our special and privileged strategic partnership has grown stronger over the years and served both our countries well. We value this relationship and the sustained high level of bilateral exchanges testifies to this fact... Today, in an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape, India-Russia ties serve as an anchor of stability and for advancing our mutual interest."
India and Russia Are So Close Culturally
Fashion designers Shantanu & Nikhil showcased their womenswear collection at Moscow Fashion Week last year. Talking about his experience in Russia and the response at MFW, Nikhil Mehra, who attended the reception, shared, "I went to Moscow with my team before MFW, and it was the embassy staff in India that connected us to them and made it happen. It is still a new relationship (their association with Russia) but now we understand the friendship between India and Russia. Shantanu and I are deeply connected on both the cultural and intellectual levels so we hope that we are able to do something bigger with Russia soon."
Talking about the response at MFW, he added, "They could not believe that Indian design on the diaspora would have such a statement to make. We instantly had clients, and even till today, we are catering and taking care of them; it has been amazing. We are so close culturally."
