200th anniversary of Russian Foreign Ministry marked in Delhi

The Russian Centre of Science and Culture has marked the 200-th anniversary of the Russian Foreign Ministry.

Ex-premier of India Inder Kumar Gujral , who took part in the festivities, said in his interview with RIA Novosti that "at the present moment when the international situation is undergoing changes, relations between India and Russia remains friendly." Gujral stressed that "history has shown that relations between the two counties are aimed at next centuries. History has shown that despite the changes that have taken place in the two countries, bilateral relations have tendency towards constant development and enrichment." The ex-premier believes that the governments and peoples of the two countries "should observe traditions that have been established in Russo-Indian relations during its many-century history of development." He highly evaluates the policy pursued by the Russian government now saying that "it aims at enhancing peace and security, in South Asia as well." The exposition of pictures and documents revealing the development of diplomatic relations between the two countries that opened in the centre has also been timed to the ministry's anniversary. Among the documents is the 1646 message of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich to Emperor of the Great Moguls dynasty (in the Moguls empire in India of 1526-1858) Shah-Jehan where the Russian Tsar expressed desire to establish diplomatic relations, and other historical documents, as well as photos showing the leaders of the two countries during the signing of the Declaration on Strategic Partnership in October 2000 in Delhi.