Russian President visit to India: Russian President Vladimir Putin visited India on December 6, 2021 to participate in the 21st India – Russia Annual summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. President Putin was accompanied by a high level delegation. He held warm and friendly bilateral talks with PM Modi on the sidelines of the summit. During their talks, the two leaders expressed satisfaction at the sustained progress in the ‘Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership’ between both countries despite the challenges posed by the Covid pandemic.
The two leaders further welcomed holding of the first 2+2 dialogue between foreign and defence ministers of India and Russia in New Delhi and the meeting of the Inter-Governmental Commission on Military & Military-Technical Cooperation in New Delhi on 6 December 2021.
The Russian President said during his meeting with PM Modi, "We perceive India as a great power, a friendly nation, and a time-tested friend. The relations between our nations are growing and I am looking into the future." PM Modi also affirmed, "In the last few decades, the world witnessed many fundamental changes and different kinds of geopolitical equations emerged but the friendship of India and Russia remained constant."
We perceive India as a great power, a friendly nation, and a time-tested friend. The relations between our nations are growing and I am looking into the future: Russian President Vladimir Putin in meeting with PM Narendra Modi in Delhi pic.twitter.com/Dr95gvWBsD
— ANI (@ANI) December 6, 2021
PM Modi- Vladimir Putin Meeting: Key Highlights
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said during the meeting that despite the challenges posed by COVID, there is no change in the pace of growth of India-Russia relations. He said, "our special & privileged strategic partnership continues to become stronger." He also added saying that the relation between India and Russia is truly a unique and reliable model of interstate friendship.
The Russian President said that currently, the mutual investments stand at about 38 billion with a bit more investment coming from the Russian side. He said, "we cooperate greatly in military & technical sphere like no other country. We develop high technologies together as well as produce in India."
On Afghanistan
Russian President Putin said that naturally they are concerned about everything that has to do with terrorism. He emphasised that fight against terrorism is also fight against drug trafficking and organized crime and with that regard, they are concerned about the developments of the situation in Afghanistan.
The two leaders agreed that both countries share common perspectives and concerns on Afghanistan and appreciated the bilateral roadmap, which was agreed upon during the NSA-level meeting for consultation and cooperation on Afghanistan.
Naturally, we're concerned about everything that has to do with terrorism. Fight against terrorism is also fight against drug trafficking & organized crime. With that regard, we are concerned about the developments of the situation in Afghanistan: Russian President Vladimir Putin pic.twitter.com/0UjxiWsLMn
— ANI (@ANI) December 6, 2021
Economic Cooperation
The two leaders underlined the need for greater economic cooperation between the two countries and emphasized on new drivers of growth for long term sustained economic cooperation. They also appreciated successful mutual investments and expressed desire for greater investments in each others’ countries.
Regional Connectivity
The proposed Chennai - Vladivostok Eastern Maritime Corridor and International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) featured in the discussions between the two leaders. The two leaders expressed desire for greater inter-regional cooperation between Russian regions, in particular Russian Far-East, with Indian states.
Covid-19 Pandemic
The two leaders appreciated the ongoing bilateral cooperation between the two nations in the fight against the Covid pandemic including the humanitarian assistance extended by both in critical times.
PM Modi further thanked President Putin for the welfare of Indian community in Russia especially during COVID pandemic. Both leaders also discussed the need for mutual recognition of vaccine certification to enable smooth travel for citizens of both nations.
Economic Recovery
They also discussed regional and global developments, including the post-pandemic global economic recovery.
Global Issues
The Russian President and PM Modi noted that both sides shared common positions on many international issues. They agreed to further strengthen their cooperation at multilateral forum including the UN Security Council.
The Russian President congratulated PM Modi for India’s ongoing non-permanent membership of the UNSC and successful BRICS Presidency in 2021. PM Modi also congratulated Russia for its ongoing chairmanship of the Arctic Council.
President Putin further invited Prime Minister Modi to visit Russia for the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit in 2022.
India-Russia Joint Statement
The two leaders also issued a joint statement titled "India-Russia: Partnership for Peace, Progress and Prosperity". The joint statement aptly all prospects of bilateral ties.
India and Russia also signed record 28 MoUs and agreements in different sectors including defence, trade, energy, education, cultural exchange, outer space, intellectual property and geological exploration.
India, Russia sign procurement deal of AK-203 assault rifles
Why is Putin's visit to India significant? What does it mean for India-Russia ties?The Russian President's visit to India was the first in-person meeting of Vladimir Putin and PM Narendra Modi after their meeting on the sidelines of the 2019 BRICS summit in Brasilia. The is also the Russian President's second visit outside Russia this year, the first being in June to meet US President Joe Biden in Geneva. This is significant in itself as the Russian President had skipped an in-person visit to the G-20 summit and the COP 26 UN climate change conference in Glasgow and also rescheduled a planned visit to China due to the pandemic. Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said that Russian President Putin's visit was short but highly productive and substantive. He said there were excellent discussions between the two leaders and 28 agreements/MoUs were concluded during this visit. He further pointed out that the fact that Russian President Vladimir Putin decided to visit India for our annual summit is an indication of the importance he attaches to the bilateral relationship and his personal rapport with PM Narendra Modi.
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Five facts to show India-Russia ties are beyond a symbolic gesture:-
1. Russian President Vladimir Putin honoured PM Narendra Modi with the Order of St Andrew in 2019, making him the only foreign dignitary to receive Russia's highest honour.
2. Russia is India's top arms supplier, reclaiming the spot in the last two years. The India-Russia cooperation has been growing across several sectors besides defence as well, including energy, pharmaceuticals, cyber, hig-tech and digital finance. Russia also actively seeks to engage in India's 'Make in India' programme.
3. India had pledged to contribute its first-ever one-billion-dollar worth credit line for the development of Russia’s Far East.
4. Russia had extended its support to India at the UN after its decision to do away with Article 370. It had also stepped up efforts to provide arms to India amid its border tensions with China along the LAC in 2020. India had also supported Russia on the Crimea issue at the United Nations.
5. India and Russia have also been brought closer due to the situation in Afghanistan.
Read more: India pledges 1 billion USD as 'Line of credit' for development of Far East
Read more: List of major International Awards conferred upon Prime Minister Modi
Background
The last India-Russia annual summit took place in September 2019 during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Vladivostok city in the far-east region of Russia. The 2020 annual summit could not take place due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Read more: PM Modi becomes first Indian prime minister to visit the Russian Far East Region.
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