Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted a private dinner for Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday evening, hours after he arrived in Moscow for a two-day visit. It was his first trip to Russia since the invasion of Ukraine more than two years ago.
The prime minister will focus on the economic agenda during his visit, including cooperation in the areas of energy, trade, production and fertilizers. According to key sources, a ‘solution cannot be found on the battlefield’. The conflict in Ukraine will also play an important role in the talks between Modi and Putin.
The two leaders will hold wide-ranging talks on Tuesday during the 22nd annual India-Russia summit, largely seen in the context of the broader geopolitical turmoil triggered by Russia’s incursion into Ukraine.
Shortly after landing in Moscow, Modi said he looked forward to deepening bilateral cooperation in future-oriented areas and that stronger ties between India and Russia would be “a great benefit for our people”.
India wants to play a “supportive role” for a peaceful and stable region, the prime minister said in his departure statement.
Putin hosted Modi for a private meeting and dinner at his residence in Novo-Ogarevo, a clear indication of the importance Moscow attaches to the Indian leader’s visit.
Thanks to President Putin for receiving me in Novo-Ogaryovo tonight. I also look forward to our talks tomorrow, which will certainly go a long way to further strengthening the ties of friendship between India and Russia. photo.twitter.com/eDdgDr0USZ
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 8, 2024
In a video, the two leaders were seen having a warm conversation in an informal setting. Russian state media said Putin praised India’s development and the achievements of Prime Minister Modi, who was recently re-elected to the post.
In a message on X, Prime Minister Modi expressed his gratitude to President Putin for the reception in Novo-Ogaryovo.
“We also look forward to our talks tomorrow, which will undoubtedly go a long way in further strengthening the bonds of friendship between India and Russia,” he said.
Earlier, Modi was received by Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov at Vnukovo-II airport. The Russian First Deputy Prime Minister also accompanied the Indian PM from the airport to his hotel, officials said.
Manturov also received Chinese President Xi Jinping during his visit to Russia.
On Tuesday, Modi will co-chair the 22nd annual India-Russia summit with President Putin, engage with members of the Indian community and visit the Rosatom pavilion during an exhibition.
The Prime Minister is also expected to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The focus of the 22nd India-Russia annual summit is likely to be on boosting bilateral cooperation in energy, security, trade, investment and people-to-people exchanges. The conflict in Ukraine will feature in the discussions.
In the talks, Modi is expected to urge the Russian side to stop recruiting Indians as support staff for the Russian army and ensure the return of those still serving in the force. “Landed in Moscow. I look forward to further deepening the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between our countries, especially in futuristic areas of cooperation,” Modi said on ‘X’.
“Stronger ties between our nations will benefit our people immensely,” he said. It is Modi’s first trip to Russia since 2019, the first after the start of the conflict in Ukraine in February 2022 and the first in Modi’s third term as prime minister.
“The prime minister will hold substantive talks with President Vladimir Putin to take forward the special partnership between the two countries. He will also interact with the Indian community in Russia,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on ‘X’.
The Indian prime minister was given a guard of honour at the airport. He was warmly welcomed outside the Carlton Hotel in Moscow by members of the Indian diaspora and a group of Russian artists who danced to the tune of Hindi songs.
“A memorable welcome to Moscow! I thank the Indian community for their kindness,” Modi said in another post on ‘X’.
“The special and privileged strategic partnership between India and Russia has evolved over the last 10 years, including in the areas of energy, security, trade, investment, healthcare, education, culture, tourism and people-to-people exchanges,” Modi said in his departure statement.
“I look forward to discussing all aspects of bilateral cooperation with my friend President Vladimir Putin and sharing perspectives on various regional and global issues,” he said. “We are trying to play a supporting role for a peaceful and stable region,” he said, without making specific references.
New Delhi has been staunchly defending its “special and privileged strategic partnership” with Russia and maintaining momentum in ties despite the conflict in Ukraine. India has yet to condemn Russia’s attack on Ukraine and has consistently advocated a resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.
The prime minister said the visit also provides him with an opportunity to meet the vibrant Indian community in Russia.
In a message on ‘X’, Modi said before leaving for Moscow: “In the next three days, I will be in Russia and Austria. These visits will be a great opportunity to deepen ties with these countries, with which India has a time-tested friendship.”
Ahead of Modi’s visit to Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the agenda will be “extensive.”
“Of course, the agenda will be extensive, not to say overcrowded. It will be an official visit, and we hope that the leaders will also be able to talk in an informal way,” he said.
The annual summit between the Prime Minister of India and the President of Russia is the highest institutional dialogue mechanism in the strategic partnership between the two countries.
The annual summits are held alternately in India and Russia.
The last summit was held on December 6, 2021 in New Delhi. President Putin visited India to attend the summit.
During the summit, both sides concluded 28 MoUs and agreements and presented a joint statement titled ‘India-Russia Partnership for Peace, Progress and Prosperity’.
Prime Minister Modi and President Putin last held bilateral talks on the sidelines of a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan on September 16, 2022.
During the meeting, Modi urged Putin to end the conflict in Ukraine, saying that “the current era is not a war era.”
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Modi has had several telephone conversations with Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
After completing his engagement in Russia on July 9, Modi will head to Austria, the first visit by an Indian prime minister to the country in over 40 years.
(Only the headline and image of this report may have been edited by Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)