Russia’s President Vladimir Putin on Thursday hosted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a visit that could see billions of dollars clinched in defence and energy deals.
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The Indian prime minister, who arrived in the Russian capital on Wednesday for a private dinner with Putin, presided over the signing of several agreements, including for the manufacture of Russian helicopters in India and joint oil and gas exploration and production in Russia.
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Putin, in his opening remarks during his meeting with Modi, said, “I am pleased to note, and I am happy to do that, that we are consistently and confidently developing the privileged strategic partnership between India and Russian Federation”.
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Putin assured Modi of Moscow’s continuous help to build more nuclear power plants in India.
India has not criticised Russian Federation over its annexation of Crimea, and has objected to western sanctions against Moscow, but has also given the appearance of wanting to maintain a distance from Putin’s increasingly assertive strategic thrust beyond his country’s borders.
According to a programme of action agreed between India’s Department of Atomic Energy and the Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation (Rosatom), there will be localisation of manufacturing in India of Russian-designed nuclear reactor units.
The Prime Minister said that it is a matter of pride that so many people in Russian Federation express their fondness for India’s cultural heritage.
Hailing New Delhi’s role in helping solve global and regional issues, Putin voiced support for India’s ambition for permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council.
Modi said cooperation between the two countries in nuclear energy was increasing.
Modi also addressed a gathering of Friends of India and met members of the Indian community in Russian Federation. “And all of us in the region – India, Pakistan, Iran and others – must unite in trust and cooperation behind the common goal and in recognition of our common destiny”.
“Russia is our most loyal partner, particularly in the fields of defense, security, that’s why I’ve come [here] to welcome our partner to participate in our country’s economic progress”, Modi said. Moscow is among New Delhi’s foremost post-Cold War era military suppliers. Russia’s Kamov OAO is to name an Indian partner to build 200 Ka-226T light military cargo helicopters in India.
They could announce also the location of a new Russian nuclear plant in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, an extension of the Russian nuclear plant under construction in Kudankulam where one reactor is already in operation. The world was looking at India with hope, and investors were confident of investing in the country. Both had notched up visits to 23 countries, but with the current visit to Russia, Afghanistan and Pakistan, Modi has an edge.
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He concluded by saying that he looked forward to Putin’s visit to India next year for the BRICS Summit as well as the annual summit.
