PM Modi Meets President Putin in Russia for Friendly Talks

Moscow [Russia], July 9: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on a two-day official visit to Russia, met with President Vladimir Putin at the Novo-Ogaryovo residence near Moscow. The Russian Foreign Ministry shared a video showing a warm greeting between the two leaders, who embraced each other as PM Modi arrived.

President Putin expressed his happiness, saying, ‘You are welcome here, friend. I’m really happy to see you.’ The informal meeting aimed to discuss the development of Russian-Indian relations and current international and regional issues.

PM Modi thanked President Putin for hosting him and expressed his eagerness for their talks, which he believes will strengthen the friendship between India and Russia. In a friendly gesture, President Putin took PM Modi on a ride in his electric car around the residence.

Earlier, PM Modi arrived in Moscow for the 22nd India-Russia Annual Summit, where he was received by Russia’s First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov and given a ceremonial welcome at Vnukovo-II Airport. This visit marks PM Modi’s first trip to Russia since the conflict between Moscow and Kyiv began in 2022.

PM Modi and President Putin have met 16 times over the past decade, with their last in-person meeting at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit in Uzbekistan in 2022. In 2019, PM Modi was awarded the highest Russian state honor, ‘Order of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First.’

After his visit to Russia, PM Modi will travel to Austria, marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the nation in 40 years.