Engaging atmosphere reigned: Shashi Tharoor on state dinner with Putin

Key Highlights

• Enjoyed my conversations with many of the attendees, especially my dining companions from the Russian delegation!” he posted.
• The dinner was organised on the final evening of Putin’s two-day India visit, which was marked by extensive talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the adoption of a joint declaration expanding cooperation across politics, security, trade, energy and education. MURMU UNDERSCORES 25 YEARS OF STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPWelcoming Putin and his delegation, President Murmu noted that the visit coincided with the 25th anniversary of the India–Russia strategic partnership, formalised in October 2000 during Putin’s first presidential visit to India.
• She praised the Russian leader’s “support and personal commitment” to strengthening the relationship, which has evolved into a “special and privileged strategic partnership”. Putin, in his address, had highlighted that the new declaration adopted during this visit would give “a strong push” to bilateral ties. CONGRESS HITS OUT OVER NON-INVITATION OF LOPSEven as Tharoor’s remarks set a cordial tone, the Opposition party’s official stance grew sharper. The Congress on Friday expressed displeasure that neither its president and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, nor the Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, were invited to the banquet. Pawan Khera, the head of the party’s media and publicity department, accused the Modi government of “breaching all protocols” by excluding the two LoPs.“There is no invite to both the LoPs, Mr (Mallikarjun) Kharge and Mr (Rahul) Gandhi.
• This comes as a surprise, but I don't think we should be surprised.
• This government is known to be breaching all protocols.