Video | Russian Artists Preparing To Welcome PM Modi Rehearse Dandiya Routine

A group of Russian artists were seen practicing a ‘dandiya’ routine to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Moscow on Monday. A video shared by news agency PTI showed artists, part of a dance troupe, practicing dandia steps supervised by a dance instructor in the Russian capital.

The artists will greet PM Modi when he reaches Moscow.

A Russian woman participating in performing Bhangra said Modi’s visit will further strengthen India-Russia ties.

“Our main aim is that we are trying to strengthen cultural ties between India and Russia, we are promoting Indian culture and festivals. Sometimes we also travel to India to exchange culture between us and India. We are happy that Prime Minister Modi is coming, our relations will become stronger. It is a great occasion and it makes us happy,” Milana, one of the dance performers said.

“It is a very big event that he (Prime Minister Modi) is coming here. We have been preparing for this event for many days, we will be happy to see him here. I learnt a little bit of Hindi so I can tell that I will be happy to meet PM Modi,” Natalia, said another dance performer.

Dandiya is a traditional folk dance from the Indian state of Gujarat. It is usually performed during the Navratri festival, which is a nine-night celebration dedicated to the goddess Durga.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been received by other world leaders at events where local artists welcomed him by performing Garba. Earlier this year, Bhutanese youngsters dancing to the tunes of a garba song penned by Prime Minister Modi himself greeted him at his hotel in Bhutan’s capital city, Thimphu during his visit.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday embarked on a high-profile visit to Russia to hold summit talks with President Vladimir Putin amid the conflict in Ukraine.

It is Modi’s first trip to Russia since 2019 and the first since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Modi and Putin are set explore ways to further expand bilateral relations in diverse areas, including trade, energy and defence, at the 22nd India-Russia annual summit on Tuesday.

“The special and privileged strategic partnership between India and Russia has advanced over the past 10 years, including in areas of energy, security, trade, investment, health, education, culture, tourism and people-to-people exchanges,” Modi said in his departure statement.

“I look forward to reviewing all aspects of bilateral cooperation with my friend President Vladimir Putin and sharing perspectives on various regional and global issues,” he said.

“We seek to play a supportive role for a peaceful and stable region,” he said without making any specific references.

The prime minister said the visit will also provide him an opportunity to meet the vibrant Indian community in Russia.

In a post on ‘X’, Modi said: “Over the next three days, will be in Russia and Austria. These visits will be a wonderful opportunity to deepen ties with these nations, with whom India has time tested friendship.” On his trip to Austria on July 9 to 10, the prime minister described the country as India’s “steadfast and reliable partner” “In Austria, I will have the opportunity to meet President Alexander Van der Bellen and Chancellor Karl Nehammer,” Modi said.