President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi held talks in the Grand Kremlin Palace

President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, now on an official visit to Russia, held talks in the Grand Kremlin Palace.
Photo: Kremlin.ru

Russian President Vladimir Putin believes that Moscow and New Delhi maintain a privileged strategic partnership.

"Our countries have enjoyed decades of a good friendship," Putin said at talks with visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Kremlin. "Today, our relations have the nature of a privileged strategic partnership," he added, TASS informs.

The Russian leader expressed satisfaction with growing trade between the two countries which he said saw a 66% increase last year "and rose by another 20% in the first quarter of this year."

Putin once again congratulated Modi on his re-election as Indian premier as he noted that Modi had arrived in Russia for his first official foreign visit after he was sworn in for another term at the helm of the government following the Indian general election last month.

Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his efforts towards resolving the Ukrainian crisis peacefully.

"I appreciate the attention you give to the most pressing issues," Putin said during a meeting with Modi, Sputnik informs. "This includes your attempts to find some paths towards resolving the Ukrainian crisis, primarily through peaceful means."

India is ready to help the peace process in Ukraine, Modi assured Putin during the meeting. "We are ready for any assistance," he said.

The Indian PM added that "peace is necessary for the bright future of our generations, therefore, we think that war will not decide, no solution can be [sought] through war."

Modi also said he hade discussed Ukraine with Putin on Monday evening, and they exchanged opinions "in this vein."

During an informal meeting on Monday the two leaders discussed a wide range of issues.

"We had the opportunity yesterday to talk informally about almost all issues," Putin said at the meeting with Modi in the Kremlin on Tuesday.

The Indian PM is on an official visit to Russia from July 8 to 9, marking his first trip to the country in five years. On Monday, the leaders had already held informal talks at the Russian leader's residence in Novo-Ogaryovo.

Russia and India enjoy a close strategic relationship, and the two countries are linked by friendship, Putin stressed during the meeting.

"Our countries have a very long-standing friendship, good relations that have been established for decades, and this year we celebrate 77 years of establishing diplomatic relations," he said. "Today our relations have the character of a special privileged strategic partnership."

Russia and India are constantly in contact, Putin added.

"We are in constant contact with you, and we pay special attention to the development of trade and economic relations," Putin said.

Russia-India trade jumped by 20 percent in the first quarter of 2024 alone.

"Last year, trade increased by 60 percent, or even more, by 66 percent. In the first quarter of this year, it grew by another 20 percent", Putin said.

Putin and Modi visited Moscow's Atomic Energy Pavilion at Moscow's Exhibition of Achievements of National Economy (VDNKh).
Photo: Kremlin.ru

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accompanied by First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, visit the Atom pavilion dedicated to the history and latest achievements in the nuclear industry, at the Exhibition of Achievements of National Economy (VDNKh) in Moscow, Russia.

Russian nuclear technologies ensure the industry's ability to create composite materials that are used for both civilian and military purposes, Putin said. Russian-made energy storage devices are of equal importance, he added.

Putin also invited the Indian prime minister to attend the next BRICS summit, which will take place in the Russian city of Kazan in the autumn.

"Dear Mister Prime Minister, we will be happy to see you in Kazan this fall at the BRICS summit," Putin told Modi.

Photo: Kremlin.ru

According to a joint statement following the bilateral meeting, the two countries committed to efforts aimed at removing non-tariff barriers to trade between them.

"Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi... declare the following... Striving to eliminate non-tariff trade barriers related to bilateral trade," the statement read.

It added that Russia and India will "continue dialogue in the field of liberalization of bilateral trade exchange, including the possibility of forming a free trade zone between the EAEU [Eurasian Economic Union] and India."

The two countries will also continue to develop a system of bilateral settlements through the use of national currencies, according to the statement.

Another goal mentioned in the document is achieving "mutual trade of more than $100 billion by 2030 (by mutual agreement), including an increase in the supply of goods from India to achieve a balanced bilateral trade turnover," Sputnik informs.

Moscow and New Delhi consider it a priority to develop cooperation in the energy area, including nuclear power, oil refining, petrochemicals, as well as ensuring bilateral and international energy security, the statement said.

Putin and Modi have also agreed to expand bilateral cooperation in education, science, culture, tourism and sport.

The two leaders reaffirmed the importance of security dialog and agreed to strengthen regional security architecture.

"The Leaders highlighted the importance of the security dialogue at the level of National Security Advisors and the National Security Councils on bilateral and regional issues and welcomed regular interactions which facilitated greater strategic understanding and coordination between the two countries on bilateral as well as global and regional issues of mutual concern," the statement read.

The sides have also agreed to strengthen joint efforts to develop an equal and indivisible regional security architecture and intensify consultations on integration and development initiatives in Greater Eurasia and the Indian and Pacific Ocean regions.

The 21st round of the Indian-Russian Intergovernmental Commission on Military and Military Technical Cooperation will be held in Moscow in the second half of 2024, the statement added.

Russia and India have agreed to expand military delegation exchanges and maintain the momentum of joint military cooperation activities.

"Military and Military-Technical Cooperation has traditionally been the pillar of Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia, which has grown from strength to strength through several decades of joint efforts and fruitful cooperation, steered by the Intergovernmental Commission on Military and Military Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-M&MTC)… The Sides confirmed commitment to maintain the momentum of joint military cooperation activities and expand military delegation exchanges," the statement read.

The two leaders in the koint statement condemned terrorist attacks at the Crocus City Hall near Moscow and Russia's Dagestan, as well as in India's Jammu and Kashmir.

"They strongly condemned the recent dastardly terrorist attack on an Army convoy in Kathua area of Jammu & Kashmir on 8th July 2024, in Dagestan on 23rd June and on the Crocus City Hall in Moscow on 22nd March and stressed that these terrorist attacks are a grim reminder for further strengthening cooperation to combat terrorism," the statement read, adding that the leaders agreed that "terrorism should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group."

Russia and India will continue interaction within the G20 group, BRICS and Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) on key issues.

"The sides agreed to continue interaction on the G20, BRICS, SCO platforms on such key issues as increasing the sustainability of international supply chains, compliance with the rules of free and fair trade, and combating the negative effects of climate change," the statement read.

The ties between the countries remain "sustainable" despite the complex and uncertain geopolitical situation, according to the statement.

Putin voiced Russia's support for India’s permanent membership in a reformed and expanded United Nations Security Council.

"Both Sides called for comprehensive reform of the UNSC to reflect contemporary global realities and to make it more representative, effective and efficient in dealing with issues of international peace and security. Russia reiterated its steadfast support for India’s permanent membership of a reformed and expanded UN Security Council," the statement read.

Moscow and New Delhi also highlighted that India’s presence in the UNSC gives a "valuable opportunity to further coordinate on most pressing issues."

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