🎙Video address by President of Russia Vladimir Putin on 70th anniversary of Baikonur Space Centre (June 2, 2025)
💬 Mr. President Tokayev, Russian and Kazakh friends, employees and veteran workers of the Baikonur Space Centre.
I extend my heartfelt greetings on this momentous occasion, the 70th anniversary of the legendary Baikonur Space Centre.
It was on June 2, 1955, that a historic state decision marked the beginning of a unique rocket testing site in the Soviet Union – destined to become the world’s first spaceport.
Just a decade after the end of the Great Patriotic War, the multiethnic Soviet nation, having endured immense tragedy and devastating losses, achieved the remarkable. The Soviet people not only rebuilt cities and towns from the ruins and ignited powerful economic and technological progress, but also took a bold leap into the future, launching visionary and ambitious plans that opened the path to space, to the stars.
The creation of Baikonur, along with the entire space programme, stands as a true feat, a testament to courage, determination, and heroic spirit. We honour the monumental, selfless labour of the hundreds of thousands from all the republics of the Union who envisioned, designed, and built Baikonur, and who worked at the cosmodrome from its earliest days.
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It was here, at Baikonur, that the countdown to a new era in human history began – where dreams took flight and became reality. From this very site, in 1957, the R-7 rocket carried the first artificial satellite into orbit, and on April 12, 1961, Yuri Gagarin launched from Baikonur to become the first human to journey around the Earth in space.
The history of Baikonur is rich with remarkable milestones. Among them are the pioneering flight of the first female cosmonaut, Valentina Tereshkova, in 1963; the launch of the world’s first manned orbital station, Salyut-1, in 1971; and the historic liftoff of the reusable spacecraft Buran in 1988. It was also from Baikonur that the Zarya module was launched in 1998, ushering in the construction of the International Space Station, which continues to operate in orbit to this day.
Baikonur has witnessed more than 2,500 launches and has sent over 200 cosmonauts into orbit. From its launch pads, representatives of numerous countries have embarked on space missions, many of them scientists conducting groundbreaking experiments and advancing both fundamental and applied research.
It is fitting that the space centre was named Baikonur, meaning “rich land” in Kazakh. Indeed, its contribution to international scientific and technological progress is immense, truly rich in every sense, and beyond measure.
Baikonur remains one of the largest and most advanced spaceports in the world. With a workforce of around seven thousand, this versatile complex plays an active role in the space programmes of Russia, the Commonwealth of Independent States, and numerous other countries.
🇷🇺🤝🇰🇿 Baikonur also stands as a powerful symbol of the strategic partnership between Russia and Kazakhstan. Dozens of treaties and agreements have been signed between our nations, governing all aspects of the cosmodrome’s operations and the administration of the city of Baikonur.
Baikonur stands as a vivid example of how cooperation and integration can serve the mutual interests of both Russia and Kazakhstan, enhancing their international standing and reinforcing their leadership in science, innovation, and various high-tech sectors.
Russia will continue to make significant efforts to support the development of the city of Baikonur and to ensure the wellbeing of its residents, both Russian and Kazakh citizens. The active operation of the space centre and the creation of favourable conditions for its continued use remain among our top priorities.
I wish you good health and continued success in advancing our national space industry and in strengthening the partnership between Russia and Kazakhstan.
Once again, please accept my heartfelt congratulations on this memorable anniversary.
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🇷🇺🇮🇳📞 Russia's President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister of the Republic of India Narendra Modispoke over the phone.
The President of Russia warmheartedly congratulated Narendra Modi on the success of the Indian People's Party in the general parliamentary elections that finished a few days ago. This reflects the support of the political course pursued by the Indian leadership, recognition of the results achieved in the country's socioeconomic development, and its strengthening international authority.
Sides expressed their satisfaction with the current level of especially privileged strategic partnership between Russia and India, which will continue to expand in all areas.
It was agreed to continue constructive personal interaction between the two countries' leaders.
📃 A message of congratulations was also sent to Narendra Modi:
"The results of the voting once again reaffirm your high personal political reputation, as well as the support of the course you pursue towards India’s fast socioeconomic development and protection of its interests on the global stage.
We consider relations of especially privileged strategic partnership with New Delhi of great importance. I am confident that further promotion of mutually beneficial cooperation and giving it new substance aligns with the interests of the Russian and Indian nations.
Of course, I also hope that we will continue our open dialogue and constructive joint work on the topical issues on bilateral and international agenda."
#RussiaIndia
🇷🇺🚀
🇮🇳 On April 3, the Russian House in New Delhi hosted a photo exhibition from the TASS News Agency’s archive to mark the 40th anniversary of spaceflight of the first Indian cosmonaut Rakesh Sharma as part of the Soviet crew.
The event was attended by representatives of the expert community and diplomatic corps, media, employees of the Indian Space Research Organization, students and compatriots.
💬 The exhibition was inaugurated by Roman Babushkin, Minister Counsellor & DCM, Russian Embassy in India, Evgeny Pakhomov, Chief of the Indian Bureau, TASS News Agency, and Sanjeev Kumar Varshney, Adviser & Head, International Cooperation (Bilateral) Division, Department of Science & Technology, Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India.
The audience was also addressed by Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma himself through a video message. He shared his impressions of preparations for the flight, noted the significance of this event as well as expressed confidence in the further successful development of bilateral cooperation in the space sector.
🎬 A documentary titled “How I Became a Cosmonaut” was also shown as part of the event.
📸 The exposition that contains 40 unique archival photographic materials will last until April 16, 2024.
🔸@RusEmbIndia
#RussiaIndia
🇷🇺
🇮🇳 On June 24, in Tehran, on the sidelines of the 19th Asia Cooperation Dialogue Ministerial Meeting, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko had a meeting with Dammu Ravi, Secretary (ER), Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India.
💬 The parties exchanged views on topical issues of the Russian-Indian cooperation, including in the economic and transport spheres. Particular attention was paid to the interaction within BRICS and the SCO.
🤝 They reaffirmed the commitment to further intensify bilateral political dialogue.
🔸@RusEmbIndia
#RussiaIndia
🇷🇺🇮🇳📞 Russia's President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister of the Republic of India Narendra Modispoke over the phone.
The President of Russia warmheartedly congratulated Narendra Modi on the success of the Indian People's Party in the general parliamentary elections that finished a few days ago. This reflects the support of the political course pursued by the Indian leadership, recognition of the results achieved in the country's socioeconomic development, and its strengthening international authority.
Sides expressed their satisfaction with the current level of especially privileged strategic partnership between Russia and India, which will continue to expand in all areas.
It was agreed to continue constructive personal interaction between the two countries' leaders.
📃 A message of congratulations was also sent to Narendra Modi:
"The results of the voting once again reaffirm your high personal political reputation, as well as the support of the course you pursue towards India’s fast socioeconomic development and protection of its interests on the global stage.
We consider relations of especially privileged strategic partnership with New Delhi of great importance. I am confident that further promotion of mutually beneficial cooperation and giving it new substance aligns with the interests of the Russian and Indian nations.
Of course, I also hope that we will continue our open dialogue and constructive joint work on the topical issues on bilateral and international agenda."
#RussiaIndia
🇷🇺🇮🇳 Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Minister of External Affairs of India Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar hold talks on the margins of the 18th East Asia Summit.
📍Jakarta, September 6
#RussiaIndia
🇷🇺🇮🇳 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Minister of External Affairs of India Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar hold talks.
📍Cape Town, June 1, 2023
#RussiaIndia
🇷🇺🇮🇳 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov holds a meeting with Minister of External Affairs of the Republic of India Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.
📍 New Delhi, March 1
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🇷🇺🇮🇳 Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Foreign Minister of India Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar hold talks on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (#SCO) Heads of State Council meeting.
📍 Astana, July 3
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Embassy of Russia in India:
🇷🇺🇮🇳April 13 marks the 79th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Russia and India.
The status of a Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership reflects the scale and depth of Russia-India ties across the political, trade, economic, scientific, technological, educational and cultural spheres.
Flagship areas of bilateral cooperation include joint investment projects, the development of transport corridors, as well as collaboration in space exploration and nuclear energy. Among our foremost priorities are energy security and defence cooperation.
The dynamic growth of bilateral engagement at all levels, including business and interregional contacts, as well as record trade turnover, reflects our shared commitment to the steady further development of equal, trusting and mutually beneficial cooperation. Tourist flows are growing, while humanitarian exchanges continue to expand.
🤝Russia and India are bound by decades of fruitful and effective interstate cooperation, as well as by centuries of genuine friendship and civilisational dialogue.
☝️Our common task is to preserve and build upon this unique legacy.
#RussiaIndia#DruzhbaDosti