Prime Minister Narendra Modi met President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Monday, it is his first visit since Russia’s conflict with Ukraine began. The friendly atmosphere between the two leaders was appreciable as they exchanged a warm hug and a firm handshake before enjoying tea at Putin’s residence in Novo-Ogaryovo.
Putin congratulated Modi on his recent reelection and acknowledged his commitment to public service as well as his contributions to India during their conversations. Putin emphasised Modi’s energy and the advantages of his leadership for India.
“You possess great energy and are making significant contributions to India. I congratulate you on your third re-election. This is a result of your hard work and lifelong commitment to public service,” Putin conveyed to Modi during their private meeting.
Putin also mentioned India’s strength in terms of population, pointing to the country’s strong birth rate as evidence of its future security. He was happy to have Modi visit Moscow and reaffirmed how much he valued India’s faith in the policies of his administration.
In response, Modi expressed his gratitude for the invitation to Russia and mentioned the importance of the recent Indian elections, which saw a large number of voters reaffirm their support for his government. Modi compared himself to other leaders like Nehru to provide historical context for his reelection.
Landed in Moscow. Looking forward to further deepening the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between our nations, especially in futuristic areas of cooperation. Stronger ties between our nations will greatly benefit our people. pic.twitter.com/oUE1aC00EN
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 8, 2024
Modi’s visit to Russia signifies a crucial two-day diplomatic mission aimed at conducting summit talks with President Putin. Upon his arrival in Moscow, Modi received a warm reception at the airport from Russian First Deputy Minister Denis Manturov, who had previously welcomed other global leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping.