T’puram: Mayor V V Rajesh proposed establishing a twin-city partnership between Thiruvananthapuram and Russia to strengthen regional cooperation under the broader framework of Indo-Russian relations.Speaking at a function organized by the honorary consul of Russia to mark Russian Day in the city, Rajesh said regional-level collaborations could play a significant role in deepening ties between India and Russia.Russian ambassador to India Denis Alipov, who attended the event, reaffirmed Moscow’s commitment to expanding cooperation with both emerging centres of global influence and long-standing partners. He described India as Russia’s “special and privileged strategic partner” and noted that the two countries would celebrate the 80th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2027.Alipov said Kerala occupies a unique place in Indo-Russian relations because of its longstanding cultural and educational exchanges and strong people-to-people ties. These connections, he said, provide a solid foundation for expanding cooperation in sectors such as trade and tourism.He also highlighted Kerala’s association with Russia through collaborations in BrahMos aerospace venture and joint space exploration initiatives involving Isro and Roscosmos.
