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Murli Manohar Joshi given Russia`s `Order of Friendship` award

Murli Manohar Joshi has been awarded Russia`s "Order of Friendship" for his contribution to strengthening ties and cooperation between India and the Russian Federation.

New Delhi: Senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi has been awarded Russia`s "Order of Friendship" for his contribution to strengthening ties and cooperation between India and the Russian Federation.
Russian President Vladimir Putin bestowed the award on Joshi and A Sivathanu Pillai, managing director of BrahMos Aerospace, a joint venture between the two countries. Lokesh Chandra, a former Rajya Sabha member who has also served in the Indian Council of Cultural Relations, was given the Pushkin Medal. The award, announced on December 6, was conferred on Joshi, who was Human Resource Development Minister in the erstwhile NDA government, for his "great contribution to the strengthening of friendship and cooperation with the Russian Federation". The citation states that Joshi "enjoys recognition and high reputation as a staunch supporter of development and deepening of friendship and cooperation with our country as one of the fundamental principles of foreign policy, irrespective of which party is in power in India". Joshi, a former president of BJP, has been an MP for several years. He heads Parliament`s Public Accounts Committee. BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain said his party and the country feels a sense of pride at this honour being bestowed on Joshi.