Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Russia on Tuesday to attend the 16th Brics Summit in Kazan. The Prime Minister is scheduled to engage in bilateral discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin later today.
Besides Putin, Modi expected to have bilateral talks with other Brics leaders
Besides Putin, the Prime Minister is expected to have discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping and engage in bilateral talks with leaders from the remaining Brics member countries.
In a statement, PM Modi said that “India values the close cooperation within Brics which has emerged as an important platform for dialogue and discussion on issues concerning the global developmental agenda, reformed multilateralism, climate change, economic cooperation, building resilient supply chains, promoting cultural and people to people connect”.
He mentioned that his trip to Kazan would additionally strengthen the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia. The summit takes place amidst continued global turmoil, such as the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the crisis in the Middle East.
In a recent interview with India Today TV, India’s Ambassador to Russia, Vinay Kumar highlighted the country’s commitment to promoting peace and resolving conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy.
“The issue has been discussed and spoken about. India has consistently held the view that the concerned parties need to engage and find resolution to the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy,” he said.
The previous month, Putin referred to PM Modi as a “friend” and thanked India for their support in efforts to resolve the Russia-Ukraine war peacefully. This is when the Russian President invited the Prime Minister to participate in the Brics Summit.
Putin’s acknowledgement came two months after PM Modi called him and urged an early resolution to the two-year war. PM Modi also met Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in August in Kyiv.
This is Modi’s second Russia visit this year
The Prime Minister is visiting Russia for the second time this year. He went to the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit in Moscow in July. On this occasion, he engaged in discussions with Putin and was honored with Russia’s top civilian honor, the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle.
On the eve of the Brics Summit, India and China made a significant decision to resume patrolling along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, leading to disengagement, which signifies a major advancement in their diplomatic relations.
