Looking forward to meet PM Modi very soon: Russian President Vladimir Putin

Moscow: External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar called on Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Monday and conveyed greetings of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

According to a statement released by the Kremlin, during the meeting, Putin stated that EAM Jaishankar’s visit underscores the level of relations that has been established between Russia and India over decades. He said that both nations continue to work together in virtually all areas, including governmental ties, interparliamentary ties, and economic cooperation.

Noting the increase in India-Russia trade turnover, he said, “I’m pleased to note that our trade turnover has increased this year. While it declined slightly last year, it’s growing this year, and this is partly, and perhaps primarily, thanks to Prime Minister [Narendra Modi], who is devoting his personal attention to developing Russian-Indian relations.”

“And at the beginning of our conversation, I would like to ask you to convey my best wishes to Mr. Modi. I hope to see him soon, as we planned, within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, very soon. Our schedule is such that we will probably be able to meet again this year,” he added.

Putin said that EAM Jaishankar and Russia’s First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, who heads the Russian part of the intergovernmental commission, have already worked hard and discussed the most important issues.

“There are many of them. One of these issues is not only energy – it is, of course, fertilizer supplies. We are doing everything to address this issue for Indian farmers, for agriculture; we are increasing these supplies and are ready to do so further and all other issues related to nuclear energy, cooperation in high-tech sectors, and other areas – they are all on the agenda, and progress is progressing quite steadily.”

During the meeting, EAM Jaishankar said that PM Modi is looking forward to meeting President Putin at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit and hopes that Putin will come to India to attend the BRICS Summit. EAM Jaishankar stated that India and Russia share a “strong, robust bilateral partnership.”

“We had a meeting of the intergovernmental commission this morning. I have a very good report to share with you, concerning our economic cooperation, nuclear energy, fertilisers, and so on. I’ll discuss this in detail. I’d like to note that our economic cooperation has grown significantly,” said EAM Jaishankar.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Denis Manturov, Russian Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov, India’s Ambassador to Russia Vinay Kumar and other officials were also present during the meeting.

EAM Jaishankar is in Moscow to co-chair the 27th Session of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC). The August 23-24 official visit is taking place at the invitation of First Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, Denis Manturov.

IANS