Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor was the sole Opposition representative at the Rashtrapati Bhavan banquet hosted in honour of Russian President Vladimir Putin. He described the evening&rsquo;s atmosphere as warm and engaging after spending time interacting with members of the Russian delegation.
The state banquet, hosted by President Droupadi Murmu, marked the conclusion of Putin&rsquo;s two-day visit to India before he departed for Moscow. The event underscored the depth of the India&ndash;Russia partnership, with Putin emphasising the progress made across political, economic, energy, strategic and cultural cooperation. The visit reinforced the long-standing privileged strategic partnership between the two nations.
The banquet featured an elaborate Indian menu that included Zafrani Paneer Roll, Pulao, Tandoori Bharwan Aloo, Achaari Baingan and a range of traditional Indian breads. Guests were served desserts such as Badam Halwa, Kulfi and classic Indian sweets.
A musical programme also marked the evening, bringing together the Rashtrapati Bhavan Naval Band and classical instrumentalists. The performance included Indian raagas paired with iconic Russian melodies and a popular Hindi film tune, forming a cultural bridge between the two countries.
Putin&rsquo;s visit and the ceremonial farewell highlighted the continued commitment of both nations to strengthening bilateral relations across diverse sectors.
&nbsp;

Tharoor attends Putin’s farewell banquet as India–Russia ties take centre stage

India–Russia Banquet Marks Strong Partnership

Tharoor attends Putin’s farewell banquet as India–Russia ties take centre stage

December 6, 2025 | 17:22 IST