'Will Be Glad To See...': Putin Invites PM Modi, Meets EAM Jaishankar in Moscow

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Wednesday met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. EAM Jaishankar is on a five-day visit to Russia. President Putin extended an invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Russia.

“We will be glad to see our friend, Mr Prime Minister Modi in Russia. We will be able to discuss all current issues and talk about the prospects for the development of Russian-Indian relations. We have a very large amount of work. I ask you to convey to him my best wishes and please pass on our invitation. We are waiting for him in Russia,” he said.

‘Doing His Utmost Best for Peace’

The Russian President lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for doing his ‘utmost’ to resolve the Russia-Ukraine issue peacefully. Putin said he discussed the developments related to Ukraine on several occasions with PM Modi and said he will delve deeper into the issue when both of them meet for further discussions.

“Many times, I advised him of how things have been going there and I know that he (PM Modi) is willing to do his utmost so that the issue is resolved by peaceful means. So, we probably will delve into that deeper now, and we will give additional information to you on that time,” Putin was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

Russia and Ukraine have been embroiled in a war since February 2022. Russia has said that it has launched a ‘special military operation’ in Ukraine to remove those who adhere to Nazi ideology. No ceasefire has been declared in the ongoing 2022 Russo-Ukrainian war as both Russia and Ukraine try to gain control of key areas in eastern and southern Ukraine.

‘True Friend in Asia’

The union external affairs minister and the Russian President also discussed bilateral ties and growth in trade and commerce between New Delhi and Moscow.

“We have outpaced the growth rates over the past year. We have surpassed all the growth that we had last year over 9 months only,” Putin told the external affairs minister Jaishankar.

Putin was referring to the rising trade between India and Russia in sectors like oil, refined products, coal, and transfer of high-end tech.

“Definitely, this is due to the trade in oil and refined products in coal. Not only energy, we also operate in high-tech spheres,” Putin added.

“It’s always good to be in Moscow. So, I agree with you that our relationship has been very strong, and very steady, and I think we have lived up to the responsibilities of a special and privileged strategic partnership. This year we have already met six times, and this is our 7th meeting,” he said, noting that forums like G20, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, ASEAN, and BRICS allowed many more and many regular contacts.,” Jaishankar said in response.

Agreements Signed

On Tuesday, the external affairs minister also held a “comprehensive and productive” meeting with Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Manturov on the bilateral economic cooperation. During the meeting, the two global leaders witnessed the signing of some “important” agreements related to the construction of the future power-generating units of the Kudankulam nuclear power plant in Tamil Nadu.

Russia on Wednesday stated that it supports India’s aspirations to become a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and also praised New Delhi’s handling of the contentious issues at the G20 Summit as a “true triumph” of its foreign policy.