Opening of 'Year of India' in Russia deferred

Moscow, Feb 8 (PTI) The much-hyped 'Year of India' in
Russia has been postponed at least till June, apparently due
to the financial constraints faced by Moscow in the wake of
the global economic downturn.

Initially, President Pratibha Patil was to arrive here
next week for the inauguration of the year-long India fest,
however, Kremlin expressed its inability to receive her in
February due to some constraints.

Under the bilateral inter-government agreement, the 'Year
of Russia' with a series of cultural events across the country
was held last year in India.

The then Russian Premier Viktor Zubkov had visited New
Delhi in February 2008 for the gala opening of the year-long
Russia fest, which was formally wrapped up during President
Dmitry Medvedev's maiden India visit in December last.

According to sources in the Russian Culture Ministry,
the money for the festival had been allocated in the state
budget, but the amount could be scaled down after Prime
Minister Vladimir Putin ordered the Finance Ministry to revise
the budget for the current fiscal due to sharp drop in
revenues in the wake of oil price slump.

However, the Russia visit of Patil for the inauguration
of 'Year of India', could now be materialised only after the
general elections in India, Russian officials believe. PTI VS
SAK
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