During a recent meeting at the Kremlin, Russian President Vladimir Putin conveyed his eagerness to meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the near future. This interaction took place as Putin welcomed External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to Moscow for a two-day visit. Expressing his warm regards, Putin requested Jaishankar to pass along his best wishes to Modi and mentioned his hope that their next encounter could coincide with the activities of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. Additionally, Putin has plans to travel to New Delhi for the BRICS leaders’ summit slated for September.
In his remarks, President Putin emphasized the strengthening trade relations between Russia and India. He noted that Russia is actively increasing its supply of fertilizers to India and expressed readiness to further expand these deliveries. This statement underscores the growing economic ties between the two nations, showcasing an area of cooperation that is becoming increasingly significant.
Earlier in the visit, Jaishankar engaged in discussions with Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov. The focus of their talks was on bolstering bilateral trade and economic partnerships. Manturov highlighted the potential for Russia to localize nuclear fuel production within India, pointing to another avenue for deepening economic collaboration.
As part of his agenda in Moscow, Jaishankar is also set to engage in discussions with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. These meetings are expected to cover a range of topics, including the current state of bilateral relations and broader regional and global issues. Such dialogues are aimed at maintaining the momentum in the strategic partnership between India and Russia.