PM Reaches Moscow, Set to Hold Talks With Putin Today

New Delhi/Moscow: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is scheduled to be hosted for a private dinner by Russian President Vladimir Putin at his dacha outside Moscow late on Monday evening (IST), said earlier that the “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia has advanced over the past 10 years, including in the areas of energy, security, trade, investment, health, education, culture, tourism and people-to-people exchanges”. In a departure statement in New Delhi, Modi said he “looks forward to reviewing all aspects of bilateral cooperation with my friend President Vladimir Putin and sharing perspectives on various regional and global issues”. He added: “We seek to play a supportive role for a peaceful and stable region”. Modi reached Moscow late on Monday evening.

In a major gesture by Russia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was received by Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov on arrival at Moscow airport on Monday evening (IST). It may be noted that Manturov is senior to the deputy prime minister who received Chinese President Xi Jinping during his visit earlier to Russia. It is understood that in a rare gesture, the Manturov also accompanied Modi to the hotel from the airport in the same car. In another gesture by Russia, the Indian tricolour was projected on the Ostankino TV tower in Moscow in honour of Modi's visit.

Modi said: “I am embarking on an official visit to the Russian Federation for the 22nd Annual Summit and my first-ever visit to the Republic of Austria over the next three days. The Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia has advanced over the past 10 years, including in the areas of energy, security, trade, investment, health, education, culture, tourism and people-to-people exchanges. I look forward to reviewing all aspects of bilateral cooperation with my friend President Vladimir Putin and sharing perspectives on various regional and global issues. We seek to play a supportive role for a peaceful and stable region. The visit will also provide me an opportunity to meet the vibrant Indian community in Russia.”

In Moscow, meanwhile, India’s ambassador to Russia Vinay Kumar said the PM’s visit to Moscow was expected to yield “tangible outcomes” in many areas. He said Modi’s talks with President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday will focus on bilateral trade and economic ties and in some new areas of scientific and technological research, with “tangible outcomes” in many areas. This will be Mr Modi’s first visit to Russia since Moscow invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

Speaking to PTI Videos, the ambassador said extensive dialogue on trade, economic and investment cooperation and connectivity will be a key focus of discussions during the PM’s visit. Asked about likely decisions in the areas of energy and defence, Kumar said: “We have a set of documents that we are working on. Some of those agreements relate to trade and economic ties and also in some new areas of connectivity, and scientific and technological research. So I expect that we would have tangible outcomes in many of these areas.”

Referring to his visit to Austria, after Russia, Modi said in his departure statement: “In Austria, I will have the opportunity to meet President Alexander Van der Bellen and Chancellor Karl Nehammer. Austria is our steadfast and reliable partner and we share the ideals of democracy and pluralism. This is the first visit of an Indian Prime Minister in over 40 years. I look forward to my discussions to take our partnership to even greater heights in new and emerging areas of innovation, technology and sustainable development among others. Together with the Austrian Chancellor, I look forward to exchanging views with business leaders from both sides to explore mutually beneficial trade and investment opportunities. I will also be interacting with the Indian community in Austria who is well regarded for their professionalism and conduct.”

In Russia, it remains to be seen whether the proposed key defence mutual logistics pact -- the Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Agreement (RELOS) — between both nations will be inked during this visit or not. Modi will discuss with President Putin on Tuesday at the summit the whole gamut of bilateral ties as part of the Special Privileged Partnership between both nations that encompasses defence supplies, including S-400 missile supplies, the whopping imbalance in trade ties, and energy cooperation between both countries.

The Russia-Ukraine conflict is also expected to be discussed prominently and Modi is expected to push for an end to the conflict and reiterate it is adversely impacting developing countries of the Global South. On Ukraine, Modi is likely to reiterate New Delhi’s stand that “diplomacy and dialogue” was the way forward and that both parties to the conflict will need to hold “sincere and practical talks” to resolve the issue.