New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today welcomed Russin President Vladimir Putin on his brief visit to India saying the visit shows his attachment to India. This is Mr. Putin’s second overseas trip since the Covid pandemic began.
“Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, there has been no change in the relationship between India and Russia,” PM Modi said.
The Prime Minister pointed out that the two countries cooperated during the Covid pandemic as well, in the field of vaccine and humanitarian support.
“You should be credited for the strategic partnership between our countries for the 3 decades,” PM Modi said.
The Prime Minister also mentioned cooperation in the economic sector, under which the two countries are adopting a long-term vision. “To achieve the aims of this partnership, we need to encourage our business leaders,” he added.
Referring to evolving geopolitics and changing fundamentals in world politics, he said that the India-Russia friendship has been constant amid all such variables. “Both countries have assisted each other and also taken care of each other’s sensitivities,” PM Modi said.
Mr. Putin called India “a time-tested friend”.
Referring to bilateral trade, the Russian President said it decreased by 17 percent last year but has increased by 30 percent this year in the first nine months.
“We are working on very promising sectors, including energy and space. We are also working and cooperating in areas of military and technology,” Mr. Putin said.
The Russian President said the two countries continue to cooperate on the global agenda. “We are naturally concerned about everything related to terrorism, terror funding, and drug trafficking and that is why we are naturally concerned about the situation in Afghanistan,” he added.
Pointing out that the two countries have held joint military exercises in both Indian and Russian territories, he said that Russia intends to work further on this matter.
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