PM Modi in Russia Highlights: PM gets 'memorable welcome' from Indian community in Moscow

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President Vladimir Putin will hold extensive talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, both one-on-one and with delegations, a top Russian official said on July 8.

"Around noon, Putin and Modi will start talking. We expect that there will be a private conversation, as well as Russian-Indian talks over an official breakfast,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted as saying by the state-owned TASS news agency.

On Tuesday, Modi will co-chair the 22nd India-Russia annual summit with President Putin.

The two leaders, however, will not make any statements to the press afterwards, the Kremlin spokesman added.

“PM Modi has arrived in Moscow for the 22nd India-Russia annual summit. At airport, he was received by 1st Deputy Prime Minister. He was also given a ceremonial welcome and Guard of Honour. The first Deputy Prime Minister also accompanied him to the hotel. At the hotel, PM Modi was welcomed by a large gathering of Indian community members. In the evening, he will be hosted by President Putin for a private dinner," says Randhir Jaiswal, Spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs.

“This visit was highly awaited; I believe this visit of PM Modi will have an impact on the entire world politics. It will obviously have an impact on the business ties between Russia and India, Army deals, cultural relations and geopolitics. So, this is a very crucial meeting (between PM Modi and Russian President),” says Abhay Kumar Singh, the first Indian-origin lawmaker in Russia, on PM Modi's two-day State visit.

At a time when Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a two-day visit to Russia, sources at the Indian Government were quoted by news agency ANI as saying, “The solution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict cannot be found on the battleground. It is also the view of the global south and naturally needs to have both parties for the resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.”

Shortly after landing in Moscow, PM Modi said he is looking forward to deepening bilateral partnership in futuristic areas and that stronger ties between India and Russia will "greatly benefit our people".

India seeks to play a "supportive role" for a peaceful and stable region, the prime minister said in his departure statement.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be holding summit talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, with a focus on boosting bilateral ties in areas of energy, trade and defence.

Putin is set to host a private dinner for Modi tonight ahead of Tuesday's talks at the 22nd India-Russia summit in Moscow.

"PM is set to hold substantive discussions with President Vladimir Putin to take forward the special partnership between the two countries. He will also interact with the Indian community in Russia," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on 'X'.

One of Moscow’s landmarks, the Ostankino TV tower, was lit up in the colours of the flags of India and Russia on Monday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi began a two-day high-profile visit to the Russian capital to hold summit talks with President Vladimir Putin.

After Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with the members of the Indian diaspora gathered outside The Carlton Hotel in Moscow to greet him, he wrote on X, "A memorable welcome in Moscow! I thank the Indian community for their affection."

AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi on Monday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should take up with Russian President Vladimir Putin the issue of Indian nationals "serving" with the Russian Army and also stop the recruitment of Indians to fight in the Ukraine war.

The Hyderabad MP said Modi, who headed to Russia, should also ensure that Indians who are stuck in the war zone are brought back to the country at the earliest.

Owaisi in a post on 'X' said, "Since @narendramodi is in Russia, he must follow up with Putin and stop the recruitment of Indians to fight in the Ukraine war. He should also ensure that innocent Indians who are stuck in the war are brought back home at the earliest."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets children and interacts with the members of the Indian diaspora gathered at The Carlton Hotel in Moscow to greet him.

PM Modi will be in Moscow from July 8 to 9 at the invitation of President Putin for the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit. It will be Modi's first visit to Russia since Moscow invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

Members of Indian diaspora gathered outside The Carlton in Moscow to welcome PM Modi as the Indian leader arrived in Russia on a 2-day official visit. It is Modi's first trip to Russia in nearly five years. His last visit to Russia was in 2019 when he attended an economic conclave in the Far East city of Vladivostok.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a 2-day official visit to Russia received the guard of honour at Moscow airport upon his arrival in the country on Monday. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Modi has held several telephonic conversations with Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Prime Minister Modi and President Putin last held bilateral talks on the margins of a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) at Samarkand in Uzbekistan on September 16, 2022.

Russian President Valdimir Putin will hold private dinner for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday as the latter arrived in Moscow to hold the 22nd India-Russia summit.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at Moscow's Vnukovo-II International Airport on Monday. The PM was received by Russia's First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov.

PM Modi is on a two-day official visit to Russia on July 8 and 9 to attend the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit with President Putin in Moscow. The PM will receive guard of honour at the airport.

As the Indian diaspora awaits Prime Minister Modi's arrival in Russia, local artists in Moscow are brimming with enthusiasm. Many artists are preparing to perform Garba(Gujarat's traditional dance), while others are beating dhol and rehearsing for the occasion. PM Modi will be on a two-day official visit to Russia on July 8 and 9 to attend the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit with President Putin in Moscow.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who embarked on a three-day visit to Russia at the invitation of President Vladimir Putin, is expected to arrive at Moscow's Vnukovo-II International Airport at 5:30 PM IST. This marks Modi's first visit to Russia since the onset of the war in Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin will hold face-to-face talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Moscow on Monday, the Kremlin said.

Modi is due to arrive in the Russian capital later in the day for a two-day state visit. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told a news briefing that Putin and Modi would meet informally in the evening and have the opportunity to talk "with a free agenda one-on-one."

A top Indian official said last week that fixing India's trade imbalance with Russia and securing the discharge of Indian citizens who were misled into fighting in the Ukraine war would be among Modi's top priorities in Moscow.

Prime Minister Modi will be in Moscow from July 8 to 9 at the invitation of President Putin for the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit. This visit is not Modi's first to Moscow; according to the Modi Archives, he was part of a delegation that traveled with then PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee for bilateral talks with Vladimir Putin in 2001. During that visit, Modi signed a protocol pact for cooperation between his home state of Gujarat and the Russian province of Astrakhan.

The Indian community in Russia are eagerly waiting for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Moscow and will be seeking his support to build a Hindu temple in the country, a new Indian school building and the availability of more direct flights to India.

Prime Minister Modi will be in Moscow from July 8 to 9 at the invitation of President Putin for the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit to be held on Tuesday.

During his two-day official visit to Russia for the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. In a statement, PM Modi mentioned that the visits to Russia and Austria will provide an opportunity to deepen ties with these nations.

Students from Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, Moscow are upbeat about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit. "It is a big day for us. We hope that the relationship between India and Russia will be much stronger. There is a history of our relationship," says a student.

Regarding Prime Minister Modi's visit to Russia, Praveen Raygade, a representative of an Indian construction company in Russia, expressed, "There is a sense of happiness and enthusiasm surrounding the Prime Minister's visit. In my opinion, there are significant opportunities for India's skilled workforce in Russia."

According to the Indian Embassy in Moscow, at least 50 Indian nationals have joined the Russian Army, with at least two confirmed fatalities in the ongoing conflict. Ramesh claimed that many Indians were misled into joining the war due to poverty and unemployment in India. He questioned whether Modi would take up the cause of these youths and ensure their safe return to India.

Ramesh pointed out that between FY14 and FY23, India's exports to Russia stagnated, falling from $3.17 billion to $3.14 billion, while the import bill surged from $6.34 billion to $46.21 billion. He expressed concern over the lopsided trade relationship, calling it unsustainable in the long term and harmful to domestic industry. Ramesh questioned whether addressing this trade imbalance is on Modi's agenda and asked about his vision for improving the trade balance between the two countries.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has posed three critical questions ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Russia.

Ramesh highlighted India's historically strong relationship with the USSR and later Russia, crediting the astute diplomacy and strategic initiatives of various Congress governments. He noted that during Dr. Manmohan Singh's ten years as Prime Minister, he met Russian Presidents Vladimir Putin and Dmitry Medvedev 16 times, either in India or Russia. In contrast, this upcoming visit marks Modi’s 11th meeting with President Putin in ten years. Ramesh questioned whether relations between India and Russia have cooled under Modi's tenure despite claims of having a significant influence on the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

When asked about potential decisions in the areas of energy and defense, Indian Ambassador to Russia Vinay Kumar stated, "We are currently working on a set of documents. Some of these agreements pertain to trade and economic relations, as well as new areas of connectivity and scientific and technological research. I anticipate tangible outcomes in many of these areas." Kumar acknowledged that trade imbalance remains a significant issue that needs addressing, and it is expected to be a topic of discussion during the prime minister's visit.

Swarup Duta, a restaurateur in Moscow, is preparing to serve Indian cuisine for Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit. Duta, who has lived in Moscow for 30 years and runs a chain of restaurants, expressed the excitement surrounding the visit. "We have introduced many Gujarati dishes to our menu, especially for the Prime Minister. We've also prepared special dishes for his delegation," he said. Duta noted that while Russians were initially hesitant to try Indian food, they quickly became enthusiastic fans once they tasted it.

The Ukraine war is expected to dominate discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin during Modi’s visit to Russia. As the protracted conflict continues to disrupt global markets and security, Modi aims to leverage his recent insights from G-7 leaders at the Italy summit to persuade Putin on the need for negotiations. Modi is poised to emphasize the futility of an extended campaign and advocate for a return to the negotiating table. Known for his excellent personal rapport with Putin, Modi’s engagement is anticipated to highlight the mutual respect between the two leaders.

This strategic purchase has propelled bilateral trade volumes between India and Russia beyond initial expectations. Prior to the conflict, the bilateral trade target was set at $30 billion by 2025. However, data from the Department of Commerce reveals that bilateral trade surged to an unprecedented $65.70 billion in FY 2023-24. The balance of trade has heavily favored Russia, with India's imports totaling $61.44 billion, primarily consisting of Russian oil and petroleum products, fertilizers, mineral resources, precious stones and metals, and vegetable oils.

(From Agencies)

Since the onset of the Ukraine war, India has significantly increased its purchase of discounted Russian oil to mitigate the inflationary impact of rising crude prices. Despite facing international criticism, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar affirmed during his November 2022 visit to Moscow that India would continue buying Russian oil to protect Indian consumers' interests.

(From Agencies)

PM Modi and President Vladimir Putin will hold the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit in Moscow. On 9th July, PM Modi will travel to Austria, where he will meet President Alexander Van der Bellen and hold talks with Chancellor Karl Nehammer.

Vinay Kumar, India's Ambassador to Russia, highlighted that Prime Minister Modi's upcoming visit to Russia will include discussions on bilateral developments and regional issues of mutual interest, according to ANI. Kumar stressed the significance of Modi's visit, noting it comes after a three-year gap since the last summit-level meeting between the Russian President and Indian Prime Minister in 2021. He underscored that global changes have occurred since then, alongside an expansion in bilateral relations.

"The visit is very significant. It is taking place after a gap of three years. We have the tradition of the annual exchange of summit-level meetings between the President of the Russian Federation and the Prime Minister of India and the last one was in 2021. So, since then, a lot has changed around the world, but also our relations have expanded."

During the visit, Modi expressed his anticipation of discussing all aspects of bilateral cooperation with President Vladimir Putin, aiming to share perspectives on various regional and global issues.

"I look forward to reviewing all aspects of bilateral cooperation with my friend President Vladimir Putin and sharing perspectives on various regional and global issues. We seek to play a supportive role for a peaceful and stable region. The visit will also provide me an opportunity to meet the vibrant Indian community in Russia," the official statement read.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to social media platform X to announce his upcoming official visit to the Russian Federation for the 22nd Annual Summit, alongside his inaugural trip to the Republic of Austria over the next three days.

In his tweet, PM Modi highlighted the growth of the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia over the past decade, highlighting advancements in energy, security, trade, investment, health, education, culture, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.

"I am embarking on an official visit to the Russian Federation for the 22nd Annual Summit and my first-ever visit to the Republic of Austria over the next three days," he tweeted.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares for his official two-day Moscow visit starting July 8, with a vibrant cultural event celebrating Indo-Russian ties taking center stage. Russian artists, adept in Kathak—a classical Indian dance form—will showcase their mastery honed over years at cultural centers. Natalia, among the performers, expressed her excitement: "After seven years of learning Kathak, I'm thrilled to present my favorite art form before PM Modi. His visit underscores the enduring bond between our nations."

(From ANI)

The Kremlin has suggested that Western nations are envious of the attention the visit is receiving. In an interview with Russia's state-run VGTRK television channel, Dmitry Peskov highlighted Modi's comprehensive agenda in Moscow, emphasising the opportunity for informal discussions between the two leaders. Peskov remarked, "The agenda will be thorough, if not somewhat packed. It's an official visit, and we anticipate informal exchanges as well.

R. Chakrapani, a veteran in Russia's petrochemical industry for over 36 years, highlights the significance of the North-South Transport Corridor ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit.

"We specialise in industrial chemicals and have managed hazardous chemical transportation for two decades. Our operations via the North-South Corridor start from Mundra Port, pass through Bandar Abbas to the Caspian Sea Port, and finally reach Astrakhan Port," Chakrapani explains.

"With India's development of Chabahar Port, we are well-equipped and optimistic. This route cuts delivery times significantly, typically 15-20 days. The infrastructure boost under PM Modi has elevated our industry's global standing," he concludes.

(From PTI)

On July 9, PM Modi will engage with the Indian diaspora in Russia. He will also lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in the Kremlin before visiting the Rosatom pavilion at an exhibition venue in Moscow.

"These activities will be followed by high-level talks between the two leaders, first at a restricted level and then at a delegation-level, led by the Prime Minister and the Russian President," said Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra during a recent media briefing.

"The issue of facilitating the return of Indian nationals who have inadvertently served in the Russian Army is expected to be addressed during these discussions," Kwatra added.

A resident of Moscow expressed, 'PM Modi arrives in Russia today, and Moscow is fully geared up to welcome him. Our Indian embassy is coordinating all arrangements, and we are offering complete support... Everyone here is eagerly awaiting PM Modi's visit.'

India's relationship with Russia spans seven decades, evoking nostalgia among veteran policymakers for the USSR's generosity and camaraderie. In today's multi-polar world, where India has broadened its global engagements, the partnership with Russia has experienced stagnation in some areas and regression in others. However, defence remains the bedrock of this strategic alliance, bolstered by robust cooperation in nuclear and space technologies.

Modi's decision to visit Russia as his first bilateral destination after taking office breaks from India's tradition of new Prime Ministers initially traveling to neighboring countries. This pattern was observed in both June 2014 (Bhutan) and June 2019 (Maldives and Sri Lanka). His recent trip to Italy, however, differed as it was for a multilateral summit of G7 leaders.

Modi's trip to Moscow marks his first visit to the city since the onset of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022. Despite the geopolitical tensions, Modi has engaged in multiple telephone conversations with both President Putin and President Zelensky of Ukraine. These discussions have underscored Modi's commitment to ending the conflict, which has had far-reaching implications for the global economy.

Following his visit to Moscow, Modi is scheduled to travel to Austria for a two-day trip on July 9 and 10.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar highlighted on Monday that India's economic ties with Russia have experienced significant growth at the leadership level, stressing a valuable opportunity for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin to engage directly. Describing the visit as a critical moment to assess their relationship, Jaishankar highlighted the importance of direct dialogue between the two leaders to further strengthen bilateral cooperation.

“It is a way of taking stock of any relationship…one of the biggest changes has been, that our economic relationship with Russia has grown tremendously…at the leadership level, it will be a great opportunity for PM Modi and (Russian) President Putin to sit down and directly talk to each other,” Jaishankar told news agency ANI.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov highlighted the extensive nature of the agenda, highlighting opportunities for both formal negotiations and informal exchanges between the leaders. He underscored the visit's global significance, noting Western interest as a clear indication of the critical importance of Russian-Indian relations on the world stage.

PM Modi's imminent arrival in Moscow on Monday afternoon (IST) heralds the start of a crucial diplomatic mission, centered around the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit—a cornerstone of their strategic partnership. This summit promises a deep dive into bilateral relations across diverse sectors, underscoring its pivotal role in shaping the future course of Indo-Russian cooperation. Anticipated discussions between Modi and Putin span a broad spectrum, encompassing critical regional and global issues of mutual interest. Against the backdrop of evolving geopolitical dynamics, this meeting assumes heightened significance, poised to chart a path forward in international relations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is gearing up for a momentous two-day journey to Moscow, commencing on Monday, July 8, at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin. This visit holds immense significance as it marks Modi's first trip to Russia since the nation's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. His previous visit in 2019 centered around an economic conclave in Vladivostok, making this upcoming diplomatic mission a pivotal juncture in bilateral relations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is poised for an historic two-day voyage to Moscow. Welcome to Moneycontrol's LIVE blog covering every crucial update and the latest news on his visit to Russia. Stay tuned for all the key developments as they unfold.