“We support a peaceful solution to the conflict,” he said. Putin, responding to Modi’s remarks, said Russia is working on a peaceful solution to the crisis. Earlier in the day, President Putin was accorded a ceremonial welcome and a tri-services guard of honour at Rashtrapati Bhavan
Prime Minister Narendra Modi receives Russian President Vladimir Putin during the latter’s ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi, on Friday. Pic/PTI
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on Friday told Russian President Vladimir Putin that India is “not neutral” and “on the side of peace” in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, as the two leaders met in New Delhi for the 23rd India-Russia annual summit.
In his televised opening remarks, PM Modi reiterated that the conflict must end through dialogue and diplomacy.
“We support a peaceful solution to the conflict,” he said. Putin, responding to Modi’s remarks, said Russia is working on a peaceful solution to the crisis, news agency PTI reported.
Earlier in the day, President Putin was accorded a ceremonial welcome and a tri-services guard of honour at Rashtrapati Bhavan. President Droupadi Murmu and Modi received him warmly at the forecourt of the presidential palace, a day after the PM hosted him for a private dinner.
Following the ceremony, Putin visited Raj Ghat to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi.
Putin arrived in New Delhi around 7 pm on Thursday, marking his first visit to India in four years and the first since the Ukraine war began in February 2022. Modi personally welcomed him with a hug at the Palam Airport, after which the two leaders travelled together in a white SUV to PM Modi’s official residence. Their conversation over dinner is understood to have helped set the tone for Friday’s summit, PTI reported.
The India-Russia Summit is expected to produce a number of tangible outcomes aimed at further broadbasing the long-standing partnership between the two countries. The agenda includes boosting defence cooperation, protecting India-Russia trade from external pressures, and exploring collaboration in small modular reactors.
Following talks between the two leaders, both the sides are expected to ink a slew of agreements, including one to facilitate the movement of Indian workers to Russia and another providing logistical support under a broader framework of defence cooperation, PTI reported.
Under the expanding trade basket, Indian exports to Russia are expected to rise significantly, particularly in pharmaceuticals, agriculture, food products and consumer goods, it is learnt.
Putin’s visit has taken on added significance as it comes amid a rapid downturn in India-US relations, making the engagement between New Delhi and Moscow especially noteworthy for global observers.
(With PTI inputs)
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