By Elina Adamova, The Times of Russia — reporting from the India Day Festival in Moscow, 21 august
It is not a secret that people in Russia have a great love for Indian culture – this connection dates back to the Soviet period, when Bollywood films starring Raj Kapoor were among the most popular in the Soviet Union. With the passage of time, nothing has changed – Russians remain fascinated by Bollywood cinema, as well as Indian cuisine, music, clothing and religion.
Every year, thousands of Russians travel to India, but once a year, India comes to the very heart of the capital. The India Day Festival offers visitors the opportunity to experience the incredible diversity of this country without leaving Russia.
The deep affection and strong connection between Russia and India make it possible to hold such an event in a truly harmonious way. Visitors can watch Indian dances on the main stage, try on a sari and purchase traditional jewellery, discover hundreds of products from India to suit every taste without having to deal with international delivery, taste samosas or chicken tikka masala, have henna patterns applied to their hands, or observe how Hindu rituals are incorporated into everyday life.
The vast space of Gostiny Dvor is filled with numerous cosy corners, surrounded by the aromas of spices and incense. As you approach them, you can almost feel yourself transported to New Delhi – without even having a plane ticket.
Organisation of the Festival
The India Day Festival is organised by the Indian Cultural and National Center “SITA”, a non-profit organisation whose mission is to promote Indian culture and heritage among Russians, foreigners and the Indian community in Russia. The organisation has been behind the festival for years, helping turn India Day into one of the largest celebrations of Indian culture in Russia. The 2026 edition, held from August 20 to 23 at Moscow’s Gostiny Dvor, marks the festival’s 11th year.
A key figure behind the festival is Sammy Manoj Kotwani, President of the Indian Cultural and National Center “SITA” and President of the Indian Business Alliance, as well as the founder of India Day. The festival has developed under his leadership into a major platform not only for cultural exchange, but also for bringing together Indian and Russian communities, businesses, young people and representatives of the diplomatic and public spheres.
The scale of the festival is also reflected in the institutional support behind it. India Day 2026 is being held with the support of the Government of Moscow, the Embassy of India in the Russian Federation, the Moscow Department for External Economic and International Relations, the India Business Council, the Roscongress Foundation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and the Moscow Department of Culture. Such support underlines the importance of the festival as more than simply a cultural celebration — it also serves as a platform for strengthening Russian–Indian humanitarian, economic and cultural ties.
The 2026 programme further expands this international dimension. Alongside concerts, Indian cuisine, the bazaar, yoga, workshops and cultural activities, the festival includes a BRICS Forum bringing together representatives of business, government and the diplomatic community, with discussions focused on trade, investment, finance, tourism, education and cultural exchange. The programme also features an International Unity Parade, bringing together representatives of India, BRICS and CIS countries, Russian regions and different national communities in a celebration of friendship and cultural diversity.
