In a joint media appearance with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov, Bharat External Affairs Minister Jaishankar expressed confidence that Prime Minister Modi and President Putin would meet for their annual summit next year. Jaishankar highlighted the frequent contact between the two leaders, emphasizing their strong bond.
During the talks, Putin conveyed his appreciation for Prime Minister Modi’s approach to complex global issues, including the situation in Ukraine. He commended Modi’s commitment to resolving conflicts through peaceful means and requested Jaishankar to convey his best wishes, expressing eagerness to host the Bharat Prime Minister in Russia.
Putin acknowledged India’s busy political schedule in 2024 due to the Lok Sabha Election but extended warm wishes for success. The summit between Modi and Putin serves as the highest institutional dialogue mechanism in the strategic partnership between India and Russia, with 21 annual summits having taken place alternately in both countries.
In his post-meeting statement, Jaishankar expressed his honor in calling on President Putin, conveying warm greetings from Prime Minister Modi, and delivering a personal message. He updated Putin on discussions with Russian ministers and appreciated the guidance provided by the Russian President on the further development of bilateral ties.
Despite the ongoing crisis in Ukraine and Russia’s invasion, the ties between India and Russia have remained robust. India’s stance has not included condemnation of the Russian invasion, emphasizing a diplomatic and dialogue-based resolution to the Ukraine crisis. Meanwhile, Bharat’s import of Russian crude oil has increased significantly, contributing to growing trade turnover between the two nations.
Putin highlighted the positive trajectory of trade relations, specifically mentioning growth in crude oil and high technology areas. The article concludes by noting that the upcoming summit marks the continuation of a longstanding tradition, with the last summit taking place in New Delhi in December 2021.
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