Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a private meeting at his official residence in Novo-Ogaryovo on Monday night, where he lauded Modi for his leadership and the progress India has made under his guidance. During the informal engagement, Putin congratulated Modi on his re-election as Prime Minister and praised him for the remarkable work he has done to drive India’s development.
“I would like to congratulate you on your re-election as prime minister. I think this is not an accident, but the result of your work over many years,” Putin told Modi, as they met at a residence outside Moscow. The Russian president emphasized Modi’s energy and determination, crediting him for delivering tangible results for India and its people. “You have your own ideas. You are a very energetic person, able to achieve results in the interests of India and the Indian people. The result is obvious,” Putin said.
Putin further highlighted India’s growing global stature, noting that under Modi’s leadership, the country has firmly established itself as the world’s third-largest economy. His comments, as reported by Russia’s state-run Tass news agency, reflected Putin’s admiration for Modi’s dedication to public service. “You have devoted your entire life to serving your people, and they can feel it,” Putin remarked, acknowledging Modi’s relentless commitment to India’s progress.
A warm and informal meeting
The meeting between the two leaders took place in a relaxed setting, with both engaging in a conversation over tea. Modi, reflecting on his recent electoral victory, expressed gratitude to the people of India for entrusting him with another opportunity to serve the nation. “You are right, I have only one goal: It is the people and my country,” Modi responded with a smile, according to Tass.
The friendly rapport between the two leaders was evident, with both cherishing the longstanding friendship between India and Russia. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Modi expressed his gratitude to Putin for hosting him in Novo-Ogaryovo. “Looking forward to our talks tomorrow as well, which will surely go a long way in further cementing the bonds of friendship between India and Russia,” Modi wrote, underscoring the significance of the meeting.
Deepening India-Russia relations
The Ministry of External Affairs described the private meeting as a reflection of the deep personal connection and trust shared between the two leaders. “PM @narendramodi was welcomed by President Vladimir Putin of Russia at his official residence at Novo-Ogaryovo for a private engagement,” the ministry stated in a social media post, sharing photos of the informal meeting. The event, the ministry noted, was an occasion for the two leaders to celebrate and reaffirm the strong bond of friendship between India and Russia.
Modi’s visit to Russia comes at a critical time in global geopolitics, marking his first trip to Moscow since the onset of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The visit is being viewed in a broader geopolitical context, signaling India’s intent to maintain strong bilateral ties with Russia while balancing its diplomatic stance on the conflict in Ukraine.
Bilateral talks with a geopolitical context
Modi’s trip to Russia includes a summit meeting with Putin on Tuesday, during which the two leaders are expected to discuss a wide range of issues, including trade, defense cooperation, and regional security. The visit is seen as a strategic move aimed at bolstering India-Russia relations, with both countries keen to expand their partnership in emerging areas of cooperation such as energy, technology, and space exploration.
Upon landing in Moscow, Modi expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming talks. “Looking forward to deepening our bilateral partnership in futuristic areas. Stronger ties between India and Russia will greatly benefit our people,” Modi said in a statement. He also emphasized India’s role in promoting peace and stability in the region, a clear reference to India’s neutral stance on the Ukraine conflict and its focus on diplomatic solutions.
The prime minister was received at Vnukovo-II airport by Russia’s First Deputy Prime Minister, Denis Manturov, highlighting the importance Moscow attaches to Modi’s visit.
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Strengthening India-Russia partnership
The meeting between Modi and Putin is not only about reaffirming personal ties but also strengthening the strategic partnership between India and Russia, which has been a cornerstone of both nations’ foreign policies for decades. Despite the geopolitical challenges arising from the war in Ukraine, India has maintained a balanced approach, refraining from joining Western sanctions on Russia and continuing its economic and defense cooperation with Moscow.
India’s relationship with Russia remains crucial, particularly in the areas of energy security and defense. Russia is a key supplier of military equipment to India, and the two countries are exploring further cooperation in nuclear energy and space technology. During the summit, both leaders are expected to explore ways to enhance their economic and strategic partnership, with a focus on futuristic technologies and regional security.
The private engagement between Putin and Modi reflects the mutual respect and camaraderie shared between the two leaders and their commitment to deepening the historic ties between India and Russia. As Modi continues his visit, the world will watch closely for the outcomes of his talks with Putin, which could have far-reaching implications for regional stability, bilateral cooperation, and global geopolitics.
