Russian President Vladimir Putin and External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar
Moscow: External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar on August 24, Monday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi looks forward to meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin at the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit and welcoming him to India for the BRICS Summit.
EAM Jaishankar, in his remarks during the meeting with President Putin at the Kremlin as part of his two-day official visit, conveyed PM Modi’s “good wishes” and handed over a personal communication from the Prime Minister to the Russian President. He further briefed Russian President on the outcomes of the India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission meeting, held earlier in the day and highlighted the growth in bilateral economic cooperation.
“Let me begin by conveying the good wishes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He has given me a personal communication which I would like to hand over to you”, EAM Jaishankar said. “We had a meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission. I think overall we have a good report to give to you. I think our economic cooperation, trade, energy, fertilisers, nuclear and other dimensions as well – I’d be pleased to speak about them in detail. Overall, I think our economic cooperation has grown very significantly”, the External Affairs Minister reiterated.
The EAM also conveyed PM Modi’s plans for the upcoming high-level engagements with Putin, saying, “Prime Minister Modi looks forward to meeting you at the SCO Summit, then welcoming you to India for the BRICS Summit, and in due course, as per your mutual convenience, having the annual summit, so we have a very strong picture of cooperation to present”. The External Affairs Minister concluded by thanking President Putin for receiving him, saying, “And once again, I thank you for receiving me today”.
Meanwhile, President Putin received EAM Jaishankar, who earlier co-chaired the Intergovernmental Russian-Indian Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technical and Cultural Cooperation, alongside First Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Denis Manturov. Welcoming EAM Jaishankar, President Putin said that the visit underscored the level of relations established between Russia and India over several decades.
“Your visit today underscores the level of relations that has long been established between Russia and India, over decades. We continue to work together in virtually all areas. This includes governmental ties, interparliamentary ties and economic cooperation”, President Putin said. He also noted the increase in bilateral trade this year and credited PM Modi’s personal attention to the development of India-Russia relations.
The Russian President also asked EAM Jaishankar to convey his best wishes to PM Modi and expressed hope of meeting him within the framework of the SCO Summit.
India is set to host the 18th BRICS Summit next month in the national capital, bringing together leaders of the grouping’s 11 member countries. BRICS brings together eleven major emerging markets and developing countries of the world, including Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates.
The grouping serves as a platform for consultation and cooperation among member countries on contemporary issues of global and regional significance, including matters related to global political and economic governance. The upcoming summit in New Delhi is expected to provide an opportunity for member countries to discuss issues of common interest and strengthen cooperation across various areas.
Earlier in the day, EAM Jaishankar co-chaired the 27th Session of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC) with First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov. The India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission (IRIGC) has two divisions: the Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC), co-chaired by External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar from India and First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov from Russia; and the Military and Military-Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-M&MTC), headed by the Defence Ministers of the two countries.
The bilateral relationship between the two countries has remained strong and stable over the years. MEA underlined how the India-Russia partnership has been among the steadiest in the contemporary era, with a shared commitment to a multipolar world as well as expanding engagement beyond the traditional military, nuclear and space cooperation.
(With Inputs from ANI)
