Queen Ketevan’s remains were brought to Goa in 1627 and were found in 2005 at St. Augustine’s Convent in Goa. After 26 years of search, the Archaeological Survey of India identified the remains.
The Indian External Affairs Minister’s (EAM) first visit to Georgia on Saturday (July 10, 2021) drafted a new roadmap for India and Georgia.
The Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visited Georgian capital Tiblisi after a three-day visit to Russia.
Diplomacy apart and many eyebrows being raised over the Indian External Affairs Minister’s visit due to relations between Russia and Georgia, the visit marked more on emotional and cultural exchanges.
In the 17th century, St. Queen Ketevan was the Empress of Georgia. She was martyred in Shiraz, Iran. Her remains were found in 2005 at St. Augustine’s Convent in Goa.
Mr Jaishankar carried with him the remains of St. Ketevan, the Queen of Georgia, after 394 years, while he and his Georgian counterpart David Zalkaliani unveiled a statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Tbilisi Park on Saturday.
“It was my honour and privilege to personally carry the holy relics of Queen St Ketevan,” he said.
The EAM of India thanked Georgian PM Irakli Garibashvili for taking care of the Indian student community living in Georgia.
“There has been significant Indian investment in Georgia. There are 8,000 Indian students here. Some of our well-known movies have been shot in Georgia. The potential to do more is very much there,” he said.
“We know that you went the extra mile to look after our students, in many cases help them return home and then come back to Georgia for studies,” he added.