NEW DELHI: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Friday heaped praises for Prime Minister Narendra Modi yet again after he received Russian President Vladimir Putin at the airport, breaking protocols.Claiming that symbolism and substance are important in diplomacy, Tharoor said that Prime Minister’s gestures are important signal of “continuity of an important relationship with Russia.””In diplomacy, both symbolism and substance are important. The symbolism is a very important part of our foreign policy outreach. When the PM goes to the airport, he takes him (Russian President Putin) for a private dinner and gives him the Gita translated into Russian; all these are significant symbolic gestures. Tharoor, however, added that “symbolism is not a substitute for substance.””They are not a substitute for substance. I have no doubt that it is an important signal of continuity of an important relationship with Russia,” he added.This comes after Putin landed in Delhi for his 2 day visit on Thursday.Following his arrival at the Palam Airport, PM Modi welcomed Putin with a hug.Both leaders shared the same car ride to Lok Kalyan Marg residence of the Prime Minister Modi where Putin was gifted a copy of the sacred Bhagwad Gita.Putin was also welcomed by President Droupadi Murmu as he received a ceremonial welcome and the tri-services guard of honour at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday.The ceremonial welcome was accorded at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan, following which, Putin inspected the Guard of Honour.
