“We have a lot of work to do,” says President Vladimir Putin, inviting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Russia
President Putin asked EAM Jaishankar to extend “his best wishes” and an invitation to Russia to Prime Minister Modi.
Vladimir Putin and Narendra Modi: Amid the ongoing war with Ukraine and indirect involvement in the Middle East crisis, namely the war between Israel and Hamas, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Russia next year. issues and talk about the prospects for the development of bilateral relations. This development took place when Indian Minister of External Affairs (EAM) S Jaishankar held a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow at the Kremlin on Wednesday in the presence of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Indian Ambassador to Russia Pavan Kapoor.
Earlier in the day, Jaishankar met Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov and held discussions on a wide range of global issues in the Indo-Pacific, the conflict in Ukraine and the Gaza issue.
“We will be happy to see our friend Mr. Prime Minister Modi in Russia. We will be able to discuss all current issues and talk about the prospects for the development of Russian-Indian relations. We have a very large amount of work to do,” President Putin said, as reported by the state news agency Tass.
President Putin asked EAM Jaishankar to pass on “his best wishes” to PM Modi as well as an invitation to Russia with a subtle hint that the Prime Minister will be busy with the upcoming parliamentary elections tentatively scheduled for March-April next year as President Putin said he “realized that India will be busy with internal affairs next year as the country is about to hold elections to elect a new government.”
EAM Jaishankar is in Russia on a five-day official visit. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters in Moscow that the EAM had already met with its Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov.
“India is an important partner of Russia, so the ministers will discuss the contacts they have had and the course of their conversation,” the Kremlin spokesman said.
While addressing the joint press conference with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Jaishankar appreciated the trade between India and Russia, which is at an all-time high. He said negotiations on a free trade agreement between India and the Eurasian Economic Union will resume in January next year.
“It’s always good to be in Moscow. So I agree with you that our relationship has been very strong and stable, and I think we have lived up to the responsibilities of a special and privileged strategic partnership,” Jaishankar told Lavrov.
The Foreign Minister said the relationship between New Delhi and Moscow remains very stable and strong and is based on strategic convergence of geopolitical interests.
Jaishankar on Tuesday held a “comprehensive and productive” meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Manturov on bilateral economic cooperation during which they witnessed the signing of some “very important” agreements regarding the construction of the future power-generating units of Kudankulam Nuclear Power . factory in Tamil Nadu.
It is worth noting that 21 summits have taken place annually, alternately in India and Russia. The last summit took place in December 2021 in New Delhi.
Putin also said that trade turnover between Russia and India is growing, mainly because of crude oil and high-tech areas, Tass reported.
“Our trade turnover is growing simultaneously and at a steady pace for the second year in a row. The growth rate this year is even higher than last year,” he said.
As soon as the meeting started, the Russian president told Jaishankar that they would discuss the conflict in Ukraine.
“We know Prime Minister Modi’s position and we have repeatedly discussed this – the position regarding his attitude to complex processes, including hotspots, to the situation in Ukraine,” Putin said.
“I have repeatedly informed him about the situation surrounding this conflict. I know he wants to do everything he can to resolve this issue peacefully, but we’ll talk more about it now. We will provide you with additional information regarding this situation.”
Ties between India and Russia remained strong despite Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. India has not yet condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and continues to insist that the crisis must be resolved through diplomacy and dialogue.
India’s imports of Russian crude oil have increased significantly despite growing unrest in many Western countries.
The two leaders also discussed progress in economic cooperation, connectivity efforts, military-technical cooperation and people-to-people exchanges. Jaishankar noted that India-Russia ties reflect geopolitical realities, strategic convergence and mutual benefit.
In a post shared on As strategic partners, they discussed the international situation and contemporary issues. Views were exchanged on the Indo-Pacific, the conflict in Ukraine, the situation in Gaza, Afghanistan and Central Asia, the BRICS, the SCO, the G20 and the UN. Noted the progress in our economic cooperation, energy trade, connectivity efforts, military-technical cooperation and people-to-people exchanges. Signed Protocol on consultations for the period 2024-2028. India-Russia relations reflect geopolitical realities, strategic convergence and mutual benefit.”
An extensive and useful meeting with Prime Minister Sergey Lavrov of Russia.
As strategic partners, they discussed the international situation and contemporary issues. Thoughts exchanged on the Indo-Pacific, the conflict in Ukraine, the situation in Gaza, Afghanistan and Central Asia, BRICS, SCO, G20 and… pic.twitter.com/Uk9VTbZm5y
—Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) December 27, 2023
Speaking about the bilateral cooperation, Jaishankar appreciated the fact that trade between India and Russia is at an all-time high and crossed the USD 50 billion mark last year. “What is important is that this trade is more balanced, sustainable and provides greater market access,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sergey Lavrov expressed Russia’s readiness to support India’s initiative to produce military products as part of the ‘Made In India’ programme. Lavrov said that he and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar took a number of steps during the meeting that will expand cooperation between India and Russia, including the launch of the North-South International Transport Corridor and the construction of the Chennai Vladivostok route.
(With input from the agency)