Holy relics of Georgia’s Queen Ketevan return to Georgia from India
Indian Foreign Minister (third from the left) joins Georgian officials at the ceremony to mark the return of the holy relics of St. Queen Ketevan. Photo: Indian Foreign Ministry press office
Tweet 
Share
The remains of the 17th century Georgian Queen Ketevan have returned from India to Georgia.
Tortured in Persia for her faith, her remains were discovered during excavations at the abandoned Church Complex of St. Augustine in Goa, India in 2013.
Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar has handed over the holy relics to his Georgian counterpart, Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani upon arrival yesterday.
The Indian FM has joined Georgian officials at a church service today marking the return of the remains of the mediaeval queen:
Honoured to represent India at the ceremony to mark the return of the holy relics of St. Queen Ketevan.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) July 10, 2021
Expressed gratitude to the people of Goa for taking care of Georgia’s valuable heritage. Moved by the ceremony at the Sameba Holy Trinity Cathedral. pic.twitter.com/URHeMYPAzO
At a joint news briefing with Georgian Prime MInister Irakli Garibashvili earlier today, FM Jaishankar said he has arrived in Georgia ‘with a sacred purpose’.
We have, as you all know, kept and preserved a very valuable heritage of Georgia for many years - Holy relics of St. Queen Ketevan - and there has been obviously understandable interest in Georgia for the relics to be permanently transferred, given the fact that Holy Martyr is regarded with so much reverence in your society”, he said.
FM Jaishankar further underscored that ‘in view of our very close friendship and understanding the importance of faith’ the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi ‘decided to gift one part of the holy relic to the Georgian people’.
Thank PM @GharibashviliGe for a comprehensive discussion of our bilateral relationship. Agreed that we need to explore its great potential. Appreciated his insights into the region. Addressed the press together at the end of our talks.https://t.co/26i0rlfkeu pic.twitter.com/znGdXiE2kn
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) July 10, 2021
The Indian official also said in his remarks that he had ‘very good discussions’ with the Georgian ministers, including FM Zalkaliani.
A productive meeting with Vice PM & FM @DZalkaliani. Discussions covered trade & economic cooperation, tourism, connectivity, education and culture. Agreed to work together to step up our engagement. pic.twitter.com/7hHKAMQlux
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) July 10, 2021
Saying that 8,000 Indian students study in Georgia, Jaishankar thanked PM Garibashvili for taking care of them.
These have been two very difficult years, so we know that you went an extra mile to look after our students and in many cases helped them come back home and then to come back to Georgia for their studies. I do want on their behalf to really convey our appreciation”, he said.
On his part, the Georgian PM thanked the Indian government for making ‘an epoch-making decision’ to grant Georgia the holy relics of the Georgian queen.
Visit today is a historic one. It is the first visit made by the Foreign Affairs Minister of India to our country. Minister has arrived in Tbilisi with a tremendous mission”, he said, thanking the government and people of India for this ‘utterly important’ gift.
Hailing cooperation between Georgia and India in politics, as well as in trade and economic fields, PM Garibashvili said ‘this interaction is advancing every year’ as ‘several thousand students come to Tbilisi from India to acquire knowledge, which is utterly important for us’.
In Tbilisi, the Indian FM has met with President Salome Zurabishvii as well:
Pleased to call on President @Zourabichvili_S. Discussed the progress in our bilateral cooperation, connectivity and Afghanistan. Appreciate her strong support for our relationship. pic.twitter.com/bn91UUwJdu
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) July 10, 2021
The Indian foreign ministry has reported ahead of Subrahmanyam Jaishankar's arrival that his visit oaims to further strengthen 'the close and cordial relations' between India and Georgia.
From April 15, despite Covid vaccine passports, all Indian visitors entering Georgia will be required to present PCR test results from the proceeding 72 hours. After entering Georgia, individuals coming from India (regardless of their citizenship) will have to undergo mandatory 14-day quarantine, which should be financed by their own budget.
Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar is paying his first official visit to Georgia on July 9-10. FM Jaishankar will discuss the bilateral relations, as well as exchange views on issues of regional and global interest with his Georgian counterpart tomorrow.
Sacred remains of a medieval Georgian regent tortured in Persia for her faith will be returned to the country for exhibitions and pilgrimage after successful conclusion of talks between cultural agencies of Georgia and India this week.
Someone has stolen glasses from the Mahatma Gandhi monument in the Varketili district of Tbilisi, Mayor Kakha Kaladze has stated earlier today.
Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili has praised the role of the Georgian Orthodox Church as “crucial” in the development of the nation, in comments marking an anniversary of the 1917 restoration of its independence from Russian religious authorities on Friday.
Georgian foreign minister Ilia Darchiashvili on Monday discussed prospects for bilateral cooperation with his Indian counterpart Meenakshi Lekhi in a Tbilisi meeting, the foreign ministry said.