- External Affairs Minister Jaishankar met Putin in Moscow during a two-day visit
- Putin hopes to meet PM Modi soon, likely at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
- Putin credited Modi for the rise in India-Russia trade this year
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin on Monday during his two-day visit to Moscow, with Putin expressing hope of meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the near future.
Putin also asked Jaishankar to convey his best wishes to Modi, according to Russian news agency TASS. He also credited Modi for the uptick in India-Russia trade ties.
"I'm pleased to note that our trade turnover has increased this year. While it declined slightly last year, it's growing this year, and this is partly, and perhaps primarily, thanks to Prime Minister Modi, who is devoting his personal attention to developing Russian-Indian relations. And at the beginning of our conversation, I would like to ask you to convey my best wishes to PM Modi. I hope to see him soon, as we planned, within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, very soon. Our schedule is such that we will probably be able to meet again this year," news agency ANI quoted Putin as saying.
Jaishankar arrived in Moscow on Sunday for the two-day visit, which comes ahead of Putin's expected trip to New Delhi for the BRICS leaders' summit scheduled for September 12-13.
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Putin Hopes To Meet PM Modi
During his meeting with Jaishankar, Putin said he hoped his next meeting with Modi would take place within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
The remarks by the Russian President follow continued high-level engagement between New Delhi and Moscow. India and Russia have long-standing diplomatic and strategic relations, with the leadership of the two countries engaging regularly.
"The India-Russia partnership has consistently demonstrated resilience and adaptability," Jaishankar said at a meeting of the bilateral intergovernmental commission on cooperation, which he co-chaired with Manturov.
"Even amidst a complex international landscape, our engagement has continued to deepen, reflecting the mutual interest and confidence that define our bilateral partnership," Jaishankar added, as reported by Hindustan Times.
Russia Offers Nuclear Fuel Localisation In India
Earlier on Monday, Jaishankar held talks with Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, with the two sides discussing ways to further expand bilateral trade and economic cooperation.
During the meeting, Manturov announced that Moscow could localise nuclear fuel production in India.
The proposal comes as India and Russia continue to explore ways to deepen economic cooperation and expand bilateral trade.
Jaishankar-Lavrov Meeting On Agenda
Jaishankar is also scheduled to meet his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov during his Moscow visit. According to the External Affairs Ministry, the two foreign ministers are expected to exchange views on regional and global issues.
Jaishankar and Lavrov last met in Manila on July 22 on the sidelines of ASEAN-related ministerial meetings. During that meeting, the two reviewed India-Russia bilateral relations and discussed the Ukraine conflict as well as the situation in West Asia.
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Jaishankar had also reiterated India's "strong concern" over the safety of Indian seafarers in the region during his previous meeting with Lavrov.
The latest visit comes as India and Russia continue their high-level diplomatic engagement, with Putin's expected visit to New Delhi for the BRICS summit adding further significance to Jaishankar's meetings in Moscow.
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