In a recent meeting with Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed confidence in the steadfast progress of Russia's relations with India, highlighting their resilience in the face of current global challenges. The meeting took place at the Kremlin, where Putin commended the positive trajectory of ties with traditional friends in Asia, emphasizing the consistent advancement despite ongoing global uncertainties, as reported by PTI.
Notably, despite Russia's invasion of Ukraine, India has refrained from condemning the action, advocating instead for a diplomatic resolution to the crisis. Putin acknowledged Prime Minister Modi's stance on complex geopolitical processes, including the situation in Ukraine, expressing his commitment to providing additional information on the matter.
Furthermore, Putin extended a warm invitation to Prime Minister Modi, expressing eagerness to discuss current issues and explore the future prospects of Russian-Indian relations. Recognizing the intricacies of India's domestic political calendar, Putin expressed optimism about maintaining friendly ties under any political alignment following the upcoming general elections.
During the meeting, Jaishankar conveyed personal greetings from Prime Minister Modi and handed over a letter outlining the current state of India-Russia cooperation. The letter also expressed Modi's anticipation of visiting Russia next year, a sentiment echoed by Jaishankar during the discussions.
Bilateral trade was a key focus of the meeting, with Putin noting the continued growth in trade for the second consecutive year, especially in energy resources such as oil, oil products, and coal. Jaishankar informed Putin that bilateral trade has exceeded USD 50 billion, underscoring the significant potential for further collaboration.
The discussions also touched upon advancements in the Kudankulam nuclear power project, demonstrating the multifaceted nature of the Indo-Russian partnership. The meeting was attended by high-ranking officials, including Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, and Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov
