New Delhi:
"Today is a special day, not only for Georgia, but also for India. I have the honour to hand over the holy relics of St. Queen Ketevan to the people of Georgia. I consider myself blessed that the purpose of my first visit to Georgia is such an auspicious one," said External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar at the Handing over Ceremony of St. Queen Ketevan relics during his two-day visit.
"Delighted to welcome my Indian counterpart @DrSJaishankar on his first visit to Georgia, who has brought the relics of Georgia's Queen Ketevan. This visit is to definitely play a huge role in strengthening ties between our countries and upgrade our relations to a completely new level," tweeted David Zalkaliani, Vice-Prime Minister and foreign minister of the country.
The presence of some of the relics in India and Georgia is a "bridge of faith" between two countries, Dr Jaishankar said adding, "The martyrdom of St. Queen Ketevan is a story of courage and sacrifice.
Her relics were taken to India by two devoted Augustinian monks who witnessed the last years of her life. One part of the holy relics still remain in India as a reminder of our shared past".
The relic was excavated in Goa in 2016.
St Queen Ketevan was the queen of Kakheti, a kingdom in eastern Georgia in the 17th century. She was married to Prince David of Kakheti, who later became the king of the region. After his death, Ketevan devoted herself to religious works.
In his speech, Dr Jaishankar said, "The holy relics have been preserved at the St. Augustine Church in Goa since the 17th century. Given the immense spiritual value that this relic holds for the people of Georgia, we had kept this sacred heritage as our own. Its return is a testimony to our warm and friendly relations".
He also thanked the "good people of Goa who have been such reverential custodians of this holy treasure".
"They have done India proud by being true to our tradition of respecting faiths," Dr Jaishankar said.
It is said India's 'Panchatantra' influenced Georgian folk legends.
During the medieval period, Georgian missionaries, travelers, and traders visited India. Some Georgians also served in the courts of Mughal emperors.
Udaipuri Begum, one of Mughal ruler Aurangzeb's wives, was of Georgian descent, says Wikipedia.
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PM Modi holds tele talks with Vietnamese counterpart, invites him to visit India
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a phone call on Saturday, July 10, with his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Minh Chinh.
Mr Modi congratulated Mr Chinh on his appointment as the Prime Minister of Vietnam and expressed confidence that the India-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership will continue to become stronger under his able guidance.
The year 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Vietnam. Both the leaders agreed to celebrate this "auspicious milestone in a befitting manner" through various commemorative activities, an MEA release said.
Mr Modi also invited PM Chinh to undertake an official visit to India at an early suitable date. During his visit to Vietnam, on September 2, 2016, Mr Modi announced a new line of credit US dollar 500 million for procurement of defence equipment.
India is selling Vietnam four large patrol vessels that will enable Vietnam to patrol its waters and Vietnam has also shown interest in buying BrahMos short range cruise missiles.
India is setting up the Satellite Tracking and Imaging Centre by Indian Space Research Organisation in Southern Vietnam for intelligence gathering. This would help better vigilance in China, sources say.
Prime Minister Modi welcomed the fact that both countries share a similar vision of an open, inclusive, peaceful and rules-based Indian Ocean Region, and hence the India-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership can contribute to promote regional stability, prosperity and development.
In this context, the Prime Minister noted that both India and Vietnam were presently fellow-members of the UN Security Council.
Mr Modi thanked PM Chinh for the valuable support provided by the Government and people of Vietnam during the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in India.
The leaders agreed that both countries should continue consultations and cooperation to support each other's continuing efforts against the pandemic.
Both the Prime Ministers also reviewed the state of bilateral relations and shared their views on different areas of cooperation.
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