Bhopal and Russia’s Smolensk have formally become sister cities, opening the doors to deeper cooperation in education, culture and trade between the two historic urban centres. Bhopal Mayor Malti Rai and Smolensk Mayor Alexander Novikov signed the Sister City MoU on Victory Day in Russia. The official ceremony was part of the 80th anniversary celebrations of Russia’s victory in World War II.
Mayor Rai attended the Victory Day Parade in Smolensk as a state guest, invited specially by Mayor Novikov. She was accompanied by officials including Tina Yadav, Additional Commissioner of Bhopal Municipal Corporation, and representatives from industry federations. Addressing the Russian audience, Mayor Rai conveyed greetings from Bhopal and said India and Russia have always shared a close and historic friendship.
She echoed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message of strengthening international diplomacy through mutual cooperation. Rai described her participation in the parade as a moment of great pride for herself and for the nearly 2.5 million citizens of Bhopal. She said she came bearing a message of friendship from the heart of India.
Comparing the two cities, Rai said Smolensk’s green landscapes and water-rich lakes reminded her of Bhopal, known for its natural beauty, heritage and the iconic 31-square-kilometre Upper Lake built by Raja Bhoj. Speaking about the Sister City agreement, Rai said Bhopal’s rich legacy aligns naturally with Smolensk’s. She hoped the connection would build lasting people-to-people ties stronger than diplomatic exchanges alone.
The agreement, she said, would help residents of both cities understand each other’s heritage, education systems, science and technology better. A special event is also being planned in Bhopal, near the Upper Lake, to honour this new partnership.
Rai also highlighted Bhopal’s achievements in cleanliness under the national Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, launched by PM Modi. She said Bhopal has twice been ranked India’s second cleanest city and twice named its most sustainable capital.
