New Delhi, Nov 13: It wasn't about Raj Kapoor and Awara. Instead, it was about Leo Tolstoy and Mahatma Gandhi, Tagore and Roerich. Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in his speech at the Russian Academy of Sciences (the Russian counterpart of Indian Council for Historical Research) on Wednesday, sought to dwell upon some abiding symbols of Indo-Russian intellectual and cultural linkages, connections which have forged a unique bonding between the two countries over the past century. Recalling artist Nikolai Roerich's words, the Prime Minister told his audience: "The Indian heart is drawn irresistibly to the boundless spaces of Russia and India, too, has a great magnetism for the Russian heart. There is a great beauty in this magnetism between India and Russia. Heart speaks to heart."
The Roerich family was cited by Mr Vajpayee as one of the most unique instances of artistic, intellectual and philosophical interactions between the two countries. The Prime Minister, who himself considers Manali his second home, reminded his audience of how the same Himalayas had enticed 'Roerich, Tagore abiding symbols between us...'Nikolai Roerich into making the nearby village Naggar his home.
Recalling the continuing Indian connection in Nikolai's sons, George, who worked on Tibetan Buddhism, and Svetoslav, who went on to marry actress Devika Rani and settle in Bangalore, Mr Vajpayee informed his audience of his personal involvement with the Roerich heritage. "I am particularly glad that during my Prime Ministership, we have been able to make significant contributions to safeguarding the precious legacy of the Roerichs, which is our common heritage." The Prime Minister also spoke about Russian writer Leo Tolstoy, who inspired Mahatma Gandhi to establish a Tolstoy farm near Johannesburg for his early experiments in truth and non-violence.
Rabindranath Tagore was also remembered by Mr Vajpayee for his prediction shortly before his death in 1941, "the darkest days of World War II", that Russia would be victorious against the "forces of fascism."
The heart-to-heart connection established, the Prime Minister came down to contemporary Indo-Russian relations: "During the past few years, dialogue and summit-level meetings have become more frequent and productive than ever before. This has helped us evolve a comprehensive vision of Indo-Russian ties for the 21st century, reinforcing our conviction that the strategic partnership between India and Russia is a reliable factor in promoting peace, security and stability, both in Asia and the world."
Mr Vajpayee said: "The fundamental factor behind the stability of Indo-Russian ties is the exemplary sensitivity both countries have shown to each other's concerns, including security concerns." This stems from the fact that both countries are multi-ethnic, pluralistic, democratic societies. "Intellectuals, scientists and public figures have an important role to platy in the fight against the forces of intolerance and violence," the Prime Minister said, underlining that the two have established a sound legal and institutional mechanism to fight international terrorism.
The Prime Minister emphasised that in the current geopolitical context, India and Russia share "a common interest in the evolution of a multipolar world based on a cooperative security order," asserting that "both are opposed to unilateralism in international matters".
Bilaterally, however, the Prime Minister noted that economic cooperation left much to be desired. Elaborating on the current accent on the economic factor in international relations, Mr Vajpayee said, "Both President Putin and I have been concerned that the volume and quality of our economic ties do not conform to the excellent level of our political leadership," asserting that "in this endeavour we need to show both innovation and a sense of urgency".
He called for a more vigorous synergy between scientific endeavours and business enterprises of India and Russia.