New Delhi, May 27: Foundation of friendship between India and Russia is extremely strong and it will be strengthened further when we celebrate the 300th anniversary of St Petersburg with the people of Russia, Planning Commission deputy chairman K C Pant today said. "By celebrating the 300th anniversary of St Petersburg with the people of Russia, we would be strengthening the already special bond we share with them," Pant said at a function organised by Indian Association of Friendship with Foreign Countries and Russian Centre of Science and Culture here.

"Prime Minister (Atal Bihari) Vajpayee's joining the celebration there shows India's desire to share the feelings of Russian people," he said.

Describing St Petersburg as one of the greatest city of Europe as well as world, ambassador of the Russian federation to India Alexander M Kadakin said that the city was Russia's window to Europe.

"The city is the cultural and commercial heart of Russia with its distinct own identity," he said.

"St Petersburg is a prime cultural, business destination and a major centre of education and learning," Kadakin said, adding the city has relation with India since the days of Mughal king Aurangzeb and Peter the Great of Russia.

The ambassador also remembered the pain taken by the Russian planners and architects to build the city over 100 islands by constructing 500 bridges.

Bureau Report