PM Modi’s Cultural Diplomacy: From SCO Translations To Gifting Gita To President Putin

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent gesture of presenting Russian President Vladimir Putin with a Russian translation of the Bhagavad Gita during his state visit underscores a consistent and deliberate strategy in Indian foreign policy: leveraging India’s rich literary and spiritual heritage to foster deeper global connections. This act follows a diplomatic blueprint laid out years ago, proving that literature and ancient wisdom are key components of his international engagement.

The foundation for this cultural outreach was established at the 2019 Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. It was there that Prime Minister Modi first mooted the ambitious idea of translating ten modern Indian literary works into the official

languages of the SCO member nations. The objective was to grant readers across Central Asia, Russia, and China direct access to contemporary Indian thought and writing, bypassing language barriers.

This commitment was systematically pursued through extensive coordination between various Indian ministries and embassies. Linguistic and editorial experts were enlisted to ensure the accuracy and accessibility of the translations, particularly into Russian, Chinese, and English. The project reached its successful conclusion when India held the SCO Chairmanship during the challenging Covid-19 period, with the translated works being formally released, thus completing the mandate set in motion by the Prime Minister.

The gift of the Russian Gita to President Putin is the latest and most personal iteration of this strategy. It takes the dialogue from modern literary works to one of India’s most ancient and revered spiritual texts. Together, the SCO translation project and the symbolic Gita gift highlight how Prime Minister Modi ensures that India’s stories, ideas, and timeless wisdom—whether drawn from contemporary authors or spiritual classics—travel beyond national borders, connecting nations through the power of shared cultural and philosophical inquiry. This approach successfully positions India’s knowledge economy and spiritual heritage at the forefront of its global conversation.