Moscow: President Pranab Mukherjee on Friday said that Russia has contributed to India's development, growth and security and has been a 'pillar of strength at difficult moments' for his country.

Addressing the diplomatic academy of the Russian ministry of foreign affairs here after receiving an honorary doctorate from it, he said that India-Russia relations, shaped as they are by their respective historical experiences, cultural affinities, political convergences and economic opportunities, will not be affected by winds of transient global political trends.