Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin during a meeting in New Delhi. (PTI photo)
NEW DELHI: Amidst the turbulence the world has witnessed in the past eight decades, the India-Russia relationship has remained like the pole star, resting on mutual respect and trust, said PM Modi as both sides reaffirmed their commitment to upgrading the economic partnership in the summit with President Putin.The two countries signed more than a dozen agreements and MoUs, including in health, migration and maritime cooperation, and adopted a framework for economic cooperation that is expected to boost trade to $100 billion by 2030, as Putin said Russia is ready to continue uninterrupted shipments of fuel to India.
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Russia is a reliable supplier of oil, gas, coal, and everything required for development of India’s energy, said Putin, hailing India’s “independent and self-sufficient” foreign policy. The Indian side maintained its energy partners, old or new, understood the need for diversification, given its focus on securing energy interests and the stability in oil prices.
Relationship built on trust has stood test of time: PMWhile there was a “general discussion” on defence including the Make in India initiative and legacy cooperation, foreign secretary Vikram Misri said the focus was on economic cooperation and efforts to ensure balanced and sustainable trade by facilitating more Indian exports to Russia.Both leaders also strongly backed ongoing efforts for early conclusion of a Free Trade Agreement with Eurasian Economic Union. Modi underlined the significance of civil nuclear cooperation, saying energy security has been a strong and vital pillar of the India-Russia partnership.
“Over the past eight decades, the world has witnessed many ups and downs. Humanity has faced numerous challenges and crises. Yet, through all of this, the India-Russia friendship has remained steady like a guiding star. Built on mutual respect and deep trust, our relationship has stood the test of time,” said Modi, adding the new economic cooperation programme till 2030 would make trade and investment diversified and balanced. He said cooperation in critical minerals was vital to ensure secure and diversified supply chains across the world.India announced a free 30-day e-tourist visa and a 30-day group tourist visa for Russian citizens. The manpower mobility agreement will create new strength and new opportunities for both countries, said Modi, who also raised the need for early release of Indians serving in the Russian army with Putin.According to a joint statement — as both sides called for comprehensive reform of UN Security Council to reflect contemporary global realities — Russia reiterated its steadfast support for India’s permanent membership in a reformed council.Putin also said Russia and India were conducting independent foreign policy together with like-minded countries in BRICS and SCO and promoting a more “just and democratic multipolar world order”. “We are defending the main principles of the international law enshrined in the UN Charter. Among them, the right of any country for its own way of development and the preservation of their cultural civilisational identity, respect for sovereignty, careful balance of interests of all participants of the world community,” said Putin.“In general, we are undoubtedly satisfied with the results of the negotiations we just had,” said Putin in his media statement.On international issues, the leaders endorsed their cooperation in keeping Afghanistan free of terrorism and stressed the importance of resolving the Iran nuclear issue through dialogue. They also expressed concern, according to the joint statement, over the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
