Modi gifts Russian translation of Thirukkural to Putin at BRICS Summit

Vice President C P Radhakrishnan on Friday expressed delight at Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifting a Tamil classic to Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying India's rich heritage is crossing borders and languages.

Modi presented the Russian translation of the Thirukkural, a Tamil classic and timeless work of wisdom, to Putin on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit.

Radhakrishnan said the gift is a beautiful celebration of "our" enduring civilisational heritage.

"The universal wisdom of Thiruvalluvar continues to transcend languages, cultures and borders, carrying the timeless message of Bharat to the world," the vice president said in a social media post.

The vice president hails from Tamil Nadu.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and several other leaders arrived in Delhi on Friday to attend the two-day BRICS summit that gets underway the following day.

President of New Development Bank Dilma Rousseff and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank Chief Zou Jiayi have also reached the capital for the summit.