PM Modi Gifts Putin Russian Translation of Tamil Classic Thirukkural Ahead of BRICS Summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted Russian President Vladimir Putin a Russian translation of the ancient Tamil classic Thirukkural during their bilateral meeting in New Delhi ahead of the 18th BRICS Summit.

The 2026 edition, published by the Central Institute of Classical Tamil, contains the original Tamil text, transliteration and a Russian translation by Naira Mkrtchyan. The Thirukkural, composed by poet-philosopher Thiruvalluvar, is a celebrated work of Tamil literature built around themes of virtue, wealth, governance, ethics and love.

The gift highlighted the cultural dimension of India-Russia ties, carrying the work's teachings across language and national borders. The Modi-Putin meeting also covered broader bilateral cooperation and key regional and global issues.