Ambassador V. Afyan's visit to Gwalior

10 November, 2024

On 9-10 November 2024, Armenian Ambassador to India Vahagn Afyan, along with the Embassy’s Counselors, visited the city of Gwalior in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India. During the visit, meetings were held with the state’s Minister of Energy, Pradhyuman Singh Tomar; Infantry Brigade General Shirsendu Mukherjee; and the Principal of Scindia School, Ajay Singh as well as the Head of Scindia Research Centre, Arunansh B. Goswami.

Ambassador Afyan also visited the Gwalior Military Alijah Club, founded in 1844 by Armenian-born Brigadier General Hakob Petrosyan (Jacob Petrus) and recently renovated by efforts from Shirsendu Mukherjee in 2023-24. At the event held on this occasion, the Armenian Ambassador expressed his gratitude to the Indian side as the first visitor from Armenia to this place, acknowledging the preservation, restoration, and passing down of the historical values of centuries-old collaboration to future generations. In his remarks, the Ambassador also mentioned another prominent Armenian figure in Gwalior, painter Sarkis Khachaturian, who, in the 1930s and 40s, was hosted by the Maharaja of the Scindia royal family and created depictions of the famous Ajanta cave murals, which are now preserved at the National Gallery of Armenia. These artworks were displayed in New Delhi in July during the 46th session of UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee.

In the meeting with Minister P. S. Tomar, discussions were held on establishing an Armenian-Indian Friendship Park in honor of the Armenian military figure and the role of the Armenian community in Gwalior, as well as on potential connections between the private sectors of both countries.

In the meeting with the Principal of Scindia School, steps toward establishing possible cooperation were discussed.

Visits were also organized to the palace museum of the Scindia royal family and Gwalior Fort, where organizational matters of future joint cultural events were discussed.

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