Moscow, Ways to further strengthen cooperation between India and Russia in sectors such as energy, trade, manufacturing and fertilizers are expected to be the focus of summit talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin here on Tuesday.
The war in Ukraine will also feature prominently in the talks. Top sources said the Indian side is likely to reaffirm its stand that dialogue and diplomacy are the only way to resolve the conflict as there can be no solution on the battlefield.
Prime Minister Modi on Monday began a high-profile two-day visit to Russia to hold the 22nd annual India-Russia summit with President Putin, his first trip since the start of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.
Last night, the Russian president hosted a private dinner for the Indian prime minister at his residence in Novo-Ogarevo, outside Moscow.
The objective of the prime minister's visit is to advance an economic agenda, especially in areas of energy, trade, manufacturing and fertilizers, the sources said.
Soon after landing in Moscow, Modi said that he hopes to deepen bilateral partnership in futuristic areas and that stronger ties between India and Russia "will greatly benefit our people."
India seeks to play a "supporting role" for a peaceful and stable region, the prime minister said in his exit statement, in what was seen as an apparent reference to the Ukraine conflict.
In the talks, Modi is expected to urge Russia to end the recruitment of Indians as support personnel for the Russian army and ensure the return home of those still operating in the force.
It is Modi's first trip to Russia since 2019, the first after the start of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022 and the first in Modi's third term as prime minister.
"The special and privileged strategic partnership between India and Russia has advanced in the last 10 years, including in the areas of energy, security, trade, investment, health, education, culture, tourism and people-to-people exchanges," Modi said. in his exit statement.
"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," he said.
New Delhi has been firmly defending its "special and privileged strategic partnership" with Russia and maintained momentum in ties despite the Ukraine conflict.
India is yet to condemn Russia's attack on Ukraine and has consistently advocated for resolving the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.
The annual summit between the Prime Minister of India and the President of Russia is the highest mechanism of institutional dialogue in the strategic partnership between the two countries.
The annual summits are held alternately in India and Russia.
The last summit was held on December 6, 2021 in New Delhi. President Putin had visited India to attend the summit.
At the summit, both sides sealed 28 MoUs and agreements, besides issuing a joint statement titled "India-Russia Partnership for Peace, Progress and Prosperity".
Prime Minister Modi and President Putin last held bilateral talks on the sidelines of a Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on September 16, 2022.
At the meeting, Modi pressed Putin to end the conflict in Ukraine, saying "the current era is not one of war."
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Modi has had several telephone conversations with Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The war in Ukraine will also feature prominently in the talks. Top sources said the Indian side is likely to reaffirm its stand that dialogue and diplomacy are the only way to resolve the conflict as there can be no solution on the battlefield.
Prime Minister Modi on Monday began a high-profile two-day visit to Russia to hold the 22nd annual India-Russia summit with President Putin, his first trip since the start of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.
Last night, the Russian president hosted a private dinner for the Indian prime minister at his residence in Novo-Ogarevo, outside Moscow.
The objective of the prime minister's visit is to advance an economic agenda, especially in areas of energy, trade, manufacturing and fertilizers, the sources said.
Soon after landing in Moscow, Modi said that he hopes to deepen bilateral partnership in futuristic areas and that stronger ties between India and Russia "will greatly benefit our people."
India seeks to play a "supporting role" for a peaceful and stable region, the prime minister said in his exit statement, in what was seen as an apparent reference to the Ukraine conflict.
In the talks, Modi is expected to urge Russia to end the recruitment of Indians as support personnel for the Russian army and ensure the return home of those still operating in the force.
It is Modi's first trip to Russia since 2019, the first after the start of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022 and the first in Modi's third term as prime minister.
"The special and privileged strategic partnership between India and Russia has advanced in the last 10 years, including in the areas of energy, security, trade, investment, health, education, culture, tourism and people-to-people exchanges," Modi said. in his exit statement.
"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," he said.
New Delhi has been firmly defending its "special and privileged strategic partnership" with Russia and maintained momentum in ties despite the Ukraine conflict.
India is yet to condemn Russia's attack on Ukraine and has consistently advocated for resolving the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.
The annual summit between the Prime Minister of India and the President of Russia is the highest mechanism of institutional dialogue in the strategic partnership between the two countries.
The annual summits are held alternately in India and Russia.
The last summit was held on December 6, 2021 in New Delhi. President Putin had visited India to attend the summit.
At the summit, both sides sealed 28 MoUs and agreements, besides issuing a joint statement titled "India-Russia Partnership for Peace, Progress and Prosperity".
Prime Minister Modi and President Putin last held bilateral talks on the sidelines of a Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on September 16, 2022.
At the meeting, Modi pressed Putin to end the conflict in Ukraine, saying "the current era is not one of war."
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Modi has had several telephone conversations with Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
