Distinguished guests, dear students, teachers, ladies and gentlemen,

It is a pleasure to welcome you all to the Embassy of India for this celebration of art, literature and friendship.

Art brings people together in ways that words often cannot. India and Azerbaijan are both treasure troves of artistic expression, shaped by rich histories and diverse cultural traditions. It is wonderful to see such enthusiasm for art among Azerbaijani students and young artists. Their creativity gives us hope that our cultural heritage will continue to inspire generations to come.

I find the theme of today's painting exhibition, "One Friendship, Two Countries: India and Azerbaijan", particularly interesting and relevant. It beautifully captures the spirit of our relationship, which is rooted in centuries of cultural interaction and mutual appreciation. Our programme today offers an opportunity to revisit some of these historic connections. The Ateshgah Temple in Baku is a striking example of these links. Its Swastika symbols, Devanagari inscriptions and representations of Indian traditions, including Lord Ganesha and Nataraja, offer fascinating evidence of the cultural exchanges that have connected our regions over centuries.

We must preserve and celebrate these links not only through historical monuments, but also by sharing our art, literature and traditions with younger generations.

This brings me to the Panchatantra, whose stories have travelled across cultures and generations, entertaining readers while imparting timeless lessons in wisdom and friendship. I hope today's painting exhibition and book reading will spark your curiosity about India and encourage you to discover more about our shared cultural heritage.

May art inspire your imagination, stories broaden your horizons, and the friendship between India and Azerbaijan grow ever stronger.

Thank you, and I wish you all a wonderful afternoon.