Despite the ongoing turbulence around the world, Russian President Vladimir Putin told External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar that relations are developing progressively with the traditional friends in Asia, Bharat, and its people. In a significant diplomatic move, the Russian President also extended an invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, adding that he would be glad to meet him in Russia.
To this, Foreign Minister Jaishankar responded saying that he was confident that in the coming year, President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will meet for the annual summit. He added that the two leaders have been in frequent contact and have widely discussed the issues around the world.
Highlighting the Russia-Ukraine war, Putin said that he had repeatedly talked to PM Modi about the situation in Ukraine, adding that he knows that PM Modi wants to resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict through peaceful means. Putin told Jaishankar to convey his best wishes to PM Modi and that he is eager to meet him in Russia.
Referring to the upcoming Lok Sabha polls in Bharat next year, Putin stated that although next year is a busy political schedule for Bharat, he is eager to meet him in Russia and also conveyed his best wishes. “We wish success to our friends in India,” Putin said.
Russia also reiterated its support to Bharat which aspires to become a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. Meanwhile, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Lavrov also hailed New Delhi’s skillful management of the G20 Presidency.
The Russian President also threw light on the trade between the two nations, saying that trade turnover between Bharat and Russia is growing, particularly on account of crude oil and high technology areas.
The ties between the two nations have been progressing, despite Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. Notably, Bharat has not yet condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and has maintained that the crisis can be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy.
It is extremely rare for Russian President Putin to meet ministers for such meetings in Moscow. He has made an exception for India’s NSA Ajit Doval in February this year & now for External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar. So far, 21 annual summits have happened between the two strategic partners and took place alternatively in Bharat and Russia. The last summit took place in New Delhi in December 2021.
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