Handed over ‘personal message’ from PM Modi, says EAM Jaishankar after meeting Putin in Moscow

Moscow: External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar called on Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Monday and handed over a “personal message” from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“Pleased to call on President Vladimir Putin of Russia in Moscow today. Handed over a personal message from Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” EAM Jaishankar posted on X after the meeting.

“Briefed him on the deliberation held under the 27th IRIGC-TEC, reviewing our cooperation across a wide range of domains. Value his guidance in that regard. Also discussed regional and global issues of importance,” he added.

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 long been established between Russia and India, over decades.

“We continue to work together in virtually all areas. This includes governmental ties, interparliamentary ties, and economic cooperation. 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,” the Russian President said during the meeting.

“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 Organization, very soon. Our schedule is such that we will probably be able to meet again this year,” he added.

Ahead of meeting Putin, EAM Jaishankar co-chaired the 27th Session of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC) along with Russia’s First Deputy Prime Minister, Denis Manturov.

“I know that you and your Russian counterpart, Mr. Manturov, who heads the Russian part of the intergovernmental commission, have already worked hard and have undoubtedly 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,” Russian President Putin said in his remarks during the meeting.

EAM Jaishankar mentioned that Prime Minister Modi is looking forward to meeting Putin at the SCO Summit and also hopes that he will have the opportunity to come to the BRICS Summit in India.

“Indeed, 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, fertilizers, and so on. I’ll discuss this in detail. I’d like to note that our economic cooperation has grown significantly. We truly have a strong, robust bilateral partnership. And I thank you for this honour,” he stated.

–IANS

/as